UCM News

Board authorizes FY 2016 funding requests, retains current officers

(WARRENSBURG, Mo.) – Requests for capital appropriations and state operating appropriations for fiscal year 2016, renewal of the annual software maintenance contract, and the election of board officers were among action items approved by the University of Central Missouri Board of Governors when it recently met on campus.

During the meeting June 20, the board approved a list of at least 16 different projects as part of the university’s comprehensive master plan, initially completed in 2008 and updated in 2012. These include the renovation of the Morris Science Building, a new academic and laboratory science building, and renovation projects for Hendricks Hall, Grinstead and Utt buildings, according to a news release.

John Merrigan, vice president for finance, said the Missouri Department of Higher Education solicits requests for capital funding needs each year from the state’s public colleges and universities. The university’s list will be submitted to MDHE by July 15 to be considered for FY16.

The board agreed to submit a request to MDHE for $74 million in state appropriations for FY16. The deadline for submission is Aug. 1. UCM’s request includes a base appropriation of $53.9 million, which is equivalent to the 2014 base appropriation (before Governor Jay Nixon’s 3 percent reserve), plus additional funding of $20.1 million to address needs and initiatives at UCM.

These include restoration of appropriation reductions of 5 percent in 2011 and 7 percent in 2012; a 2 percent employee salary increase; inflationary increases to cover mandatory costs such as increased health insurance premiums, utilities, and library acquisitions; and deferred maintenance. Funding for the following program initiatives is also included: Missouri Innovation Campus; Caring for Missourians; Missouri Technology Mission; Science, Technology, Engineering and Math; and Health and Life Sciences Education for Missouri’s Future.

In other business, the board approved a 10-year amendment to its software maintenance and support contract for the Ellucian Banner software modules. The software is used in many applications at the university that affect student enrollment, purchasing, budgeting, payroll, financial aid, student billing, the UCM Foundation and more. This agreement will cumulatively save the university up to $1 million for software maintenance and support over the next decade. The contract comes with a first-year cost of $481,042, beginning with the fiscal year July 1 through June 30, 2015.  The university has been using Banner software since 2004.

The board approved an on-call mechanical services contract with The Fagan Company, of Kansas City, Kansas, for labor and materials needed to provide technical service assistance, repair, modification, new installation, and parts replacement on mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems on an as-needed basis beginning July 1.

The university’s current mechanical services contract with P1 Group, of St. Joseph, expires June 30. UCM expects to spend approximately $200,000 this fiscal year for these services, and it spent approximately $462,000 the previous year. The university has the option to renew the contract in one-year increments for a maximum total of four additional years.

The board’s nominating committee, chaired by Weldon Brady, of Warrensburg, recommended retaining the current board officers in their positions for the next fiscal year. Marvin “Bunky” Wright, of Columbia, will continue to serve as president; Gus Wetzel, of Clinton, vice president; and Mary Dandurand, of Warrensburg, secretary. Merrigan will serve as board treasurer, and Monica Huffman, executive assistant to the president, will continue to serve as assistant board secretary.

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