Your Questions Answered
Send your questions and comments about Nicholls State University to University President, Dr. Stephen T. Hulbert.
The Office of the President at Nicholls State University welcomes questions from the university community. You may submit your questions using the form below. Your comments will be sent to Dr. Hulbert and other members of the President’s staff. Not all comments may be approved or posted publicly. Your questions may also be edited for clarity.
You must include your name and a proper Nicholls State University e-mail address (@nicholls.edu OR @its.nicholls.edu).
February 20th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
How close are we to declaring exigency?
When we will know what the budget will be?
February 20th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Cynthia DuBois has asked how close the university is to declaring financial exigency and when will we know what the budget will be for the 2009-10 fiscal year ahead. From my knowledge and experience, financial exigency, meaning a deficit situation, can only be declared when an actual budget has been approved. We have no idea about state appropriations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009, and, as such, no financial exigency situation exists at present. The decision regarding any budget rests with the legislature and the governor. Although the governor’s budget is due to the legislature on March 13th, the decision is not finalized until the conclusion of the legislative session, which this year occurs on June 25th, 2009.
February 22nd, 2009 at 2:48 am
If we are affected due to budget cuts, what majors or fields of study will be in danger of elimination?
February 25th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Mr. Frank DiNicola has asked, if the university is affected due to budget cuts, what majors or fields of study will be in danger of elimination.
No decisions have been made and cannot be made until (if) any actual decrease is known. Premature decisions can only cause undue anxiety and stress. Also, remember “…that should further budget reductions become necessary, the Nicholls community will be involved in any necessary planning once any actual decrease is known.”
The areas that need to be protected, as much as possible, are those that contribute to the University’s status as an SREB 4-Year IV institution (which is based on the number of graduate level programs); those which are part of general education offerings which relate to all majors; and finally those majors/disciplines which have sufficient majors and graduates to maintain their viability in a comprehensive four-year university. Obviously, the deeper any imposed state cut, the more programs with low enrollments and few graduates would be considered for elimination.
March 25th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
In your most recent e-mail, and in previous e-mails, you mention possible cuts to student academic services. Having worked in the Writing Center for three years and having taught composition for three and a half years, I know how important the center can be to promoting student ability and confidence in writing. Will that center be closed?
March 25th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
I am of the old school…we rise and fall together. Is it too much to ask of the university staff, faculty and administration to take an across-the-board cut in pay to preserve the integrity of the school
President Obama often points to employees who “will give up a day so others might keep their job.” Can we do that?
March 26th, 2009 at 8:14 am
Carolyn Gorman asked, “In your most recent e-mail, and in previous e-mails, you mention possible cuts to student academic services. Having worked in the Writing Center for three years and having taught composition for three and a half years, I know how important the center can be to promoting student ability and confidence in writing. Will that center be closed?”
No decisions have been made with regard to any area of university operations as we are just initiating the planning process. Members of the university community will have the opportunity for input. Every effort will be made to maintain the academic core of the university and the services that support it. My comments to date have only sought to indicate that we will undertake a review of all aspects of university operations in reaching decisions regarding required budget reductions.
March 26th, 2009 at 8:46 am
There has been a continuing theme of budget cuts mentioned in the communications presented by President Hulbert over these past weeks. My question is why has there been no discussion about possible revenue generating initiatives? For example, student tuition increases, as Nicholls’ tuition seems to be amongst the lowest in the Southern Region.
March 30th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Diane Garvey asked, “There has been a continuing theme of budget cuts mentioned in the communications presented by President Hulbert over these past weeks. My question is why has there been no discussion about possible revenue generating initiatives? For example, student tuition increases, as Nicholls’ tuition seems to be amongst the lowest in the Southern Region.”
There has been much discussion within the institutions of the University of Louisiana System and legislators relative to tuition increases. Since we are the only state that requires a 2/3rds vote of the legislature to raise tuition and because TOPS artificially holds down tuition, the average tuition in Louisiana 4-Year public universities is at 64% of the Southern Regional Average (SREB 2007-2008) (approximately $2,600 per year below average). This is the second lowest of the 16 states in the Southern Region. This combined with the budget cuts to state appropriations will make Louisiana the worst funded in total revenue in the entire Southern Region!
There are high expectations that the second year of a 5% tuition increase will become a reality. That will not change our position in the region. There is talk of a bill to return control of tuition to the management boards, but it will be difficult to pass.
There is a bill to make TOPS a stipend so that the legislature does not need to find additional funds for TOPS when tuition rises.
We are being told by the UL System office to plan for the 5% tuition increase.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Stephen Hermann asked, “I am of the old school…we rise and fall together. Is it too much to ask of the university staff, faculty and administration to take an across-the-board cut in pay to preserve the integrity of the school? President Obama often points to employees who will give up a day, so others might keep their job. Can we do that?”
To be direct in response, the extent of the total dollar reduction is so great that an across-the-board cut would be insufficient to cover the total amount required. A minimum of a 20% to 25% cut would be required, since a salary reduction (or furlough) initiative can only be applied to certain categories of employees. For some categories, such an initiative requires the approval of the individual.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:17 am
Will the 4% increase for classified employees to eliminated?
Will there be any sort of incentive for employees with 20-25 years to retire early.
What will happen with the fee reduction that faculty/staff get for tuition for themselves and their children?
April 23rd, 2009 at 11:21 am
Brenda Ordoyne asked:
1. “Will the 4% increase for classified employees be eliminated?”
2. “Will there be any sort of incentive for employees with 20-25 years to retire early?”
3. “What will happen with the fee reduction that faculty/staff get for tuition for themselves and their children?”
Responses:
1. If the governor’s executive budget goes forward without change, it is quite likely that the classified merit increase would be suspended for the next fiscal year. This action will be taken as one means of avoiding or lessening the impact of layoffs or furloughs.
2. Questions regarding retirement incentives are better shared with our local legislators. Traditionally, such initiatives have been developed through legislation.
3. The tuition waiver for faculty and staff will remain as it is at present. No consideration has been given to any change in the current institutional policy.
April 24th, 2009 at 11:40 am
Now that the university has submitted to Baton Rouge a detailed budget reduction plan and that plan is now public record, who would I ask to get a copy of this plan?
April 24th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Daryl Holmes asked, “Now that the university has submitted to Baton Rouge a detailed budget reduction plan and that plan is now public record, who would I ask to get a copy of this plan?”
Response:
The full plan, as submitted to the University of Louisiana System, will be released by the President’s Office by e-mail attachment on Tuesday, April 28th.
April 30th, 2009 at 10:44 am
When will the employees being affected by the layoffs be notified?
April 30th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Rita Bergeron asked, “When will the employees being affected by the layoffs be notified?”
Response:
The notification process will begin tomorrow (Friday) and continue Monday, until it is completed. Faculty and staff will be notified in a meeting by their appropriate dean or vice president. They will then be given a letter by that individual.
May 5th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
I am having trouble understanding how the university will save money with a compressed workweek schedule. If we are still following a 40 hour workweek, we will still be consuming 40 hours of energy. How exactly will this measure save the university money?
May 13th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Jerad David asked, “I am having trouble understanding how the university will save money with a compressed workweek schedule. If we are still following a 40 hour workweek, we will still be consuming 40 hours of energy. How exactly will this measure save the university money?”
Response:
Several universities across Louisiana have followed a compressed workweek schedule for two or more years. Each contends that there are real savings to be gained by such a schedule. We will not learn if this is true for Nicholls unless we give it a try. To be very honest, I have some doubts here. In any event, the effort will take planning across the facilities staff and the cooperation of university personnel campus-wide to generate any true benefit.
For Nicholls, the age and nature of our central loop heating and air conditioning system creates real challenges. The general concept during the pilot period is that our facilities personnel will power down thermostats both electronically and manually beginning on Fridays around noon. We will not be able to do this for all buildings, only those that do not have activities assigned to them during the weekend, whether those activities begin early or late Friday afternoon. Temperature reduction from noon on each Friday will mirror normal weekend conditions.
Efforts have been made to either change class times or move classes to facilities that we cannot power down until after 4:30 on Friday afternoons, or at all during the weekends. Tentatively, our plan is to power down buildings at noon on Friday such as Ayo, FACS, Gouaux, Talbot, Duhe etc. With these buildings offline, we expect to realize an additional energy savings. Mike Davis, the assistant vice president for administration, has been assigned the task of determining if savings are realized as we progress through the summer.
While I have mixed feelings with regard to the real benefits of a compressed workweek schedule, there is little doubt that the broader outside community is looking for indications of greater operating efficiency. By experimenting with this work schedule, we are providing a visible indication of institutional commitment to conserve resources.
As we move to introduce the new schedule on May 25, 2009, I am asking supervisors to work cooperatively with affected staff who may have personal scheduling problems over the course of the summer months. If we subsequently elect to introduce the compressed schedule year round, all staff can then make the necessary changes in their daily routines.
The decision to embrace the compressed workweek schedule for the actual calendar year will be made after consultation with faculty and staff.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:52 am
A question from a staff member and an issue shared by Faculty Senate.
“I know that the budget reduction plan has been implemented, which involves the classified employees not receiving merit over the next fiscal year. Is this a plan that is being implemented state-wide, or is it only at Nicholls? I do understand that as classified employees of the University we need to do what we can to assist. However, how fair is it for classified employees to suffer this kind of blow? If I chose to take a job with another state agency, I would still possibly be getting my merit increase for this next fiscal year.”
July 9th, 2009 at 11:55 am
Response:
The decision here had everything to do with the equitable treatment of all employees rather than the differential or special treatment of one class of positions. Last year our classified employees received a merit increase when neither the faculty nor the unclassified staff received an increase. This year, all employees will not receive merit increases. I cannot support classified staff being given merit again this year when other employee groups are not receiving an increase. Also, to give classified merit increases when it was not part of institutional planning will create another budget hole. Although difficult, the withholding of merit increases has reduced the number of employees that faced a layoff.
My goal has been to eliminate any move to furlough classified, unclassified, instructors and non-tenured faculty this year, which is part of the current budget reduction plan. We were notified last week that our reductions were lowered. We plan to eliminate any furloughs. We believe that this is fair for all employees. Everyone will be asked to do more; we do not want them to do it for less pay.
It is a fact that other state agencies may have the finances to continue providing merit increases to their staff members. If our employees choose to leave the University to work for another agency, they certainly may be eligible to receive the merit increase this upcoming fiscal year. This holds true for all of our employees; there may be other opportunities for our faculty, unclassified and classified staff members. I personally hope that our employees can find the means to stay with us through these difficult times. I also understand that some will make the decision that, due to financial constraints, they have no choice but to leave and it is truly unfortunate if that happens.
I know that all employees depend on the annual merit increase. To me it is a matter of equity.
October 21st, 2009 at 11:39 am
A parent has asked how the university addresses instances of sick students who display flu-like symptoms.
October 21st, 2009 at 11:56 am
The University does take the health of our students very serious. Procedures are in place to handle pandemic type medical situations. The procedures were put in place after reviewing Center for Disease Control, State of Louisiana Public Health and World Health Organization recommendations. The development and implementation of procedures in place for student health services have been overseen by our staff physician, who reviews and updates medical services protocol as needed.
The housing and food services staff have been distributing prevention, referral and follow-up information to students. Students who demonstrate or report any symptoms are immediately referred to Student Health Services. Students who have roommates or share an apartment with a student who is sick can request to be relocated to different housing accommodations. Meals can also be provided via the “sick tray” program from the campus cafeteria. Please note that medical authorities have not recommended relocation as a prevention, as by the time a diagnosis has been made exposure has already occurred.
The University cannot speak as to the medical status of any specific student’s medical diagnosis or treatment plan. This information is confidential per the HIPPA and FERPA Federal Protection Laws. Students are referred to Student Health Services for medical treatment on a regular basis.
Please note that the University cannot legally quarantine a student. Student Health Services staff does advise students with flu like symptoms to self-isolate, which means that the student should refrain from contact with others by remaining in their apartment or residence hall room unless they are going to see their physician or responding to an emergency situation. Our health services staff have reported that the number of students reporting flu like symptoms has decreased over the last two weeks. We will continue to work on prevention and follow-up activities to try to keep these numbers as low as possible.
Any student who would like to take advantage of special accommodations due to medical reasons should contact Dr. Garvey (985-493-2609 or diane.garvey@nicholls.edu ). There will be an immediate response to any request received.
Response:
University staff will continue to monitor this situation and adjust procedures for responding to this and other health concerns as needed. Updates will be distributed electronically and in hard copy form throughout the campus community. An electronic link to this information is available at http://www.nicholls.edu .