Administration should be more transparent on cuts
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There is an odd sort of doublespeak coming from MSU’s administration when it comes to dealing with budget cuts.
MSU Spokesman Terry Denbow first reassured us that the university is “going through transparent and rigorous discussions” (Students protest budget cuts Thursday SN 10/9) regarding the budget cuts being proposed to MSU Provost Kim Wilcox. But now our hearts should be broken to learn from R. James Kirkpatrick, dean of the College of Natural Science, that, “We’re going to have to keep individual recommendations confidential” (MSU Provost receives plans to reduce budget, SN 10/16).
If individual recommendations are kept confidential, then they are not transparent. This kind of doublespeak is symptomatic of an administration that wants MSU students to pay more — a 10.1 percent tuition increase — for an education that offers them so much less. Cutting programs and charging students more for their education is not “boldness by design,” it’s a tired attempt to profit at the expense of graduate and undergraduate student programs.
Please join concerned Spartans at 1 p.m. on Oct. 30 at the state capitol, where we will rally for a better budget, because we think MSU students deserve better.
Matthew Johnson
graduate student
Commentary
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student
(10/20/09 9:33pm)Report
Again I am amazed of the lack of information that my fellow Spartans have regarding what goes on at MSU.
The administration posts everything, everything, online. You just have to go to where it says “About MSU” or “Board & Administration” in that same section. From board meetings to financial statements, everything is there.
In fact, a while ago in the “MSU Matters”, where they have University-wide plans, strategies and actions, the administration added a site called “Shaping the Future”. This new site contains inter departmental communication, memos, presentations, plans to confront the financial climate and even a video of a presentation of Pres. Simon.
Everything, or almost everything, is in there. Again, this site has been up since the beginning of the year, at least.
Site: http://shapingthefuture.msu.edu/index.php?home
MSU is one of the most transparent universities. People just have to look for the information.
Matthew Johnson
(10/21/09 5:01pm)Report
Student, you don’t think that some of that information is misleading, incomplete, or in some cases simply false?
I am aware of these sources, however, they are primarily propaganda in my mind.
Jake
(10/22/09 11:18am)Report
“I am aware of these sources, however, they are primarily propaganda in my mind.”
You mind must be a crazy funhosue of paranoia, angst, and fear. Until you can prove that any of the online data is “misleading, incomplete, or in some cases simply false,” you are just another trolling conspiracy theorist with a keyboard and too much time on your hands.
Justin Lippi
(10/22/09 1:00pm)Report
Jake or Student, could you please show me where the recommendations are on the shapingthefuture website . I have also been to that site and found very little information on it. Perhaps I am just having trouble navigating. Where are the recommendations from the deans of the colleges to the provost?
bill
(10/27/09 8:07am)Report
That’s not doublespeak. The suggestions will be public, just not those who propose them. You offer no alternative budget plan. I’m not sure what the point of your letter is.
Matthew Johnson
(10/28/09 5:04pm)Report
@bill: Maybe you should read this sentence again: “We’re going to have to keep individual recommendations confidential.” Clearly, the administration wants to have their cake and eat it, too.
Also, alternatives have been mentioned, but you will have to come to the rally if you want to hear what they are!