University President

To: University Community
From: Stephen T. Hulbert, President

Through this correspondence, I would like to brief the Nicholls State University community with regard to the status of current budget planning for the 2005-2006 fiscal year ahead. This correspondence comes at the outset of the 2005 Legislative Session, a period involving several months of on-going budget discussion and related financial decision making. Before that session ends, the University’s 2004-2005 academic year will conclude and faculty and students alike will leave the campus for the summer. Significant financial decisions will be made at the state and local campus levels before everyone returns in August.

Often as we enter the Legislative Session and the academic year concludes, University community members leave the campus hearing about financial challenges facing the institution and return only to find the budget set. This is common in public higher education and seldom have we, or other institutions, given the members of the University community a full explanation of the impact of decisions made both in Baton Rouge and here on campus. The purpose of this correspondence is to initiate communication with faculty, staff and students regarding current institutional budget projections for the new fiscal year beginning July 1, 2005.

Obviously, at this point in the year such budget projections are fluid in nature and will be subject to constant adjustment throughout the months ahead. Those adjustments will not only result from actions taken in the Legislature but also will reflect the continuing refinement of actual cost demands across all areas of the operating budget of the University.

Simply stated with total revenue increases for Nicholls State University estimated at $1,248,451 and expenditure increases estimated at $4,223,616, approximately $2,975,165 is needed in additional funds to balance the University’s projected 2005-2006 fiscal year budget. Without further operating budget reductions and no additional state support, it would take a 13.44 percent tuition increase (above the previously approved 3 percent tuition increase) to cover the $2,975,165 figure. Such a tuition increase is clearly unacceptable.

Of that $2,975,165 total $1,666,172 is comprised of still unfunded mandated costs attributable to action at the state level (see attached breakdown). If that was the total unfunded impact projected for the 2005-2006 fiscal year ahead, it alone would require a 7.53 percent tuition increase (above the previously approved 3 percent tuition increase). Beyond the yet unfunded mandated cost increases, the University faces scholarship and fee exemption increases much of which are necessitated by the Fall 2005 transition to selective admissions standards. Additional increases are attributable to required accreditation and/or Board of Regents commitments as well as increases in maintenance contracts and operating materials. The University also faces the annualization of modest employee compensation increases for the current fiscal year. The cost of these initiatives totals $1,308,993 (see attached breakdown).

The above summary is part of a complex financial plan and analysis of projected 2005-2006 fiscal year funding levels. If there is any message that I am trying to convey it is that at present at least $1,666,712 of mandated state cost increases still remain unfunded. Additionally, critical need operating budget requirements comprise the remaining $1,308,993 totaling the $2,975,165 difference between projected revenues and mandated and/or critical institutional expenditure needs.

In preparation for the situation at hand, Nicholls has budgeted conservatively, eliminating or deferring some faculty and staff positions and deferring program initiatives. Further such activity may be necessary over the spring and summer months ahead. I would note that this same situation occurred for the current fiscal year. Even with the 4 percent operational fee revenue approved late in the last Legislative Session, Nicholls had to implement a $1,066,764 or almost 2.5 percent budget reduction to maintain balanced operating conditions over the course of the current 2004-2005 fiscal year. The recent 1.75 percent or $408,500 savings target reduction, as implemented by the state, only further exacerbated financial conditions this year in support of the academic programs. Simply stated, it is progressively becoming most difficult to make further budget cuts without a harmful impact on the academic program and the students it serves.

One final issue involves the apparent difference between H.B. 1 that indicates $591,862 less funding for Nicholls than does the Governor’s Executive Budget. As we understand it, that difference is the University’s portion of the Governor’s Supplemental Budget “below the line”, thus, representing items for which revenue is not yet available. The current Executive Budget shows a total decrease in State general funds and statutory dedications of $274,430 for Nicholls State University.

The President’s Cabinet, with representation from the faculty, staff and student body, will monitor on-going financial decision-making and planning around the operating budget for the 2005-2006 fiscal year ahead. Every effort will be made to keep the broader University community apprised of the outcome of the planning and decision-making through the beginning of the new fiscal year on July 1, 2005. As importantly, every effort will be made to protect the quality and integrity of the of the academic program and the students it serves.

Budget Information – (PDF) (Excel)

To: The Nicholls State University Community
From: Stephen T. Hulbert, President

At the Annual Business Administration Honor’s Banquet earlier this week, Dean Ridley Gros announced the decision of the AACSB Maintenance of Accreditation Committee, as ratified by the Association’s International Board of Directors, to reaffirm the accreditation of the College of Business Administration. I am taking this opportunity to share that announcement campus-wide and, at the same time, to offer my congratulations to Dean Gros and the faculty, staff and students who worked so hard to insure this successful outcome.

When the AACSB Peer Review Team visited Nicholls from February 27th to March 2nd of this year they concluded that the business program had achieved high quality and accordingly the Team was recommending reaffirmation of accreditation.

While we believed then that the business program had been evaluated successfully, the action of the AACSB International Board of Directors and its Maintenance of Accreditation Committee still remained as the final hurdles to be surmounted. The news that Ridley Gros received by e-mail confirming reaffirmation brought closure to a long and difficult review process.

I use this means to publicly thank Ridley Gros for his willingness to return to the University to provide leadership to this most important task. At the same time I want to congratulate Betty Kleen for her outstanding contributions in the preparation of the self-study report and support documents and to all of the faculty and staff who worked so hard to contribute to this successful outcome.

The quality that is represented in the Business Administration program results from years of effort by the faculty in building the curriculum and in evolving their own scholarship and service within the broader community. The Self-Study and Peer Review process clearly indicated that in achieving high program quality the faculty has also put into place the processes to assure the maintenance of that quality within an environment committed to continuous improvement.

To: The Nicholls State University Community
From: Stephen T. Hulbert, President

I am writing to let the University community know that representatives from Westboro Baptist Church of Kansas are scheduled to conduct a demonstration on campus from 11:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., April 18, 2005. The demonstration will take place on the cement area directly to the right of the entrance to the student union. This group is coming to campus to protest the establishment of a student group named the NSU Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA).

The University’s position is that students have the right to assemble and to establish student organizations without censorship relative to content or purpose. Therefore, student groups will be permitted to operate at Nicholls as long as their purpose and activities do not thwart the aims and purposes of the University or violate state or federal law.

Nicholls is a diverse community. This diversity is respected on a daily basis as we go about our academic and extracurricular endeavors.

Please note that we did not invite the Westboro Baptist Church to our campus. However, as a state institution, we are obligated to provide for public protests, including the expression of political and religious speech. The University has followed U.S. Supreme Court rulings regarding the designation of areas where protests may occur on campus. These two sites are the flagpole area near the entrance of the campus and an area just to the right of the main entrance of the student union. Designation of these areas allows protests to take place without disruption of classes and scheduled campus activities.

The Kansas group has reportedly conducted protests which include hateful and provocative language. Some believe this type of protest is aimed at inciting onlookers to lose their tempers and assault members of the protesting group. I strongly urge that members of the Nicholls community not provide this group the reaction they may desire. Let’s not bring any attention to the protesting group or the hateful message that they spread.

Nicholls State University celebrates its diversity. We must continue to support a campus environment which is inclusive. Please join me in celebrating what Nicholls is about on April 18, 2005. Ignore these individuals, respect their constitutional right to protest while they are on campus, and let them go their way.