Update from Stacey

Did you know that October 16 is this year’s annual Financial Aid Day to recognize financial aid professionals? Say thank you to your financial aid colleagues! The rest of us can celebrate on Higher Education Day next summer, a thing I only learned about via some googling just now.

I thought I would also share some general updates about what I’m working on. My two biggest projects at the moment are the annual budget process and writing a report on federal compliance for the University’s re-accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission.

• OUE submits its annual budget compact materials in the fall. My project, with the directors’ support, is to write a document that outlines our highest priorities and major financial concerns. It also needs to demonstrate how we would implement a 1.4% reallocation. What does that mean? In our document, I need to explain how we would cut 1.4% of ASR’s budget, but I also have the opportunity to show the negative impacts to dissuade decision-makers from making a cut. Additionally, a budget cut could be offset by new money if new initiatives or significant financial concerns receive funding. We are a fortunate unit at the University that is recognized for our high quality work and importance to the mission, so I am optimistic about the process.
• Part of our re-accreditation process happening in 2025 is to assemble a number of reports. I am leading the federal compliance reporting, with help from staff in ASR and across the campus, to describe our FERPA compliance, instructional time policies, transfer credit practices, and other items. I don’t have a lot of dedicated writing projects these days, so I’m really enjoying this work.

Update from Stacey

This morning, the Board of Regents approved the budget, which includes tuition increases and a 3% merit pool to units for salary increases. This merit pool is allocated to civil service and P&A staff (labor-represented increases are determined by collective bargaining). With this official decision, we are able to finalize the plans we’ve prepared for salary increases. We always wish we could do more for our staff, but we’ve worked hard to stretch our dollars as far as possible. I will share more details soon, and we will email civil service and P&A staff a notice regarding their salary, likely in early July.

Bob McMaster will be giving his last enrollment management update to the Board of Regents later today. I have greatly appreciated Bob’s in-depth knowledge of enrollment and financial aid data, the product of his interest in data and 16 years of experience in the role. I am looking forward to working with Raj Singh as Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education, effective July 1. We are already starting the onboarding process, and he is very much aware of the importance of Academic Support Resources for the entire University. Thank you all, as always, for the roles you play in our work.

Update from Stacey

It’s been a couple of issues since I’ve written an update and—no surprise—a lot has happened in the last month. I had the opportunity to complete ASR’s annual budget documents in collaboration with the ASR directors, which gets submitted to OUE and then forwarded on to the Provost’s office and the Budget 6. The budget process requires us to model cuts and provides the opportunity to highlight areas of concern. The “areas of concern” turn into something like a request for new money, which is a long-shot in the University budget.

However, ASR’s budget documents were viewed very favorably by OUE and are being seriously considered in the next steps of the process. I highlighted areas where we are most in need of staffing, particularly where we rely on temporary funding, and ASR’s increasing software costs. Now the waiting game begins, and we will get official word sometime in the spring semester.

Looking ahead, we are rapidly approaching the end of the term and all of the work associated with closing out one term and beginning another. Somewhere in there, we will take a break during University holidays to rest and rejuvenate. As you reflect on the last year personally and professionally, take a moment to pat yourself on the back for the ways in which you have succeeded at work. Thank you everyone!

Finally, a quick note connected to the DEI update below, I recommend checking out the short documentary, “Rondo: Beyond the Pavement.” It provides several first-hand accounts from neighborhood residents that demonstrate the personal impact the freeway had on the neighborhood.

Director's update: Budget information

We received some good news on the budget front. Here's what I know:

• We received an internal loan of $2 million beginning fiscal year 2013 (FY13) for physical upgrades to Keller, Borlaug, and Vincent halls, and the study spaces in Willey and Wilson Library.


• OCM will receive one-time funding ($500K) for high priority maintenance of classrooms and study spaces.


• Our request for $200K to replace the classroom scheduling system was approved.


• Beginning in FY13, costs associated with the Consumer Relationship Management (CRM) license will be assumed by OIT.

These items are critical to furthering our mission, but there is still more work to be done. I will keep you informed as I hear more.