The Murray State News April 4, 2014
Vol. 88, No. 27
TheNews.org
University will see 1.5 percent budget cut instead of planned 2.5 Ben Manhanke Assistant News Editor bmanhanke@murraystate.edu
Leaders from the Republican-controlled Kentucky Senate and Democratically controlled House reached a compromise on the biennial budget for the Commonwealth Monday night for the years 2014-2016. The final $20.3 million budget, if approved by Gov. Steve Beshear, restores funding to a number of universities’ construction projects removed in the
Senate’s draft of the budget and includes an across-the-board funding cut to state higher education. This compromise comes a week after the Senate released its counter-proposition to the House’s state budget. With funding for universities’ top priority projects being maintained, Murray State will be able to go forward with construction of the Engineering and Physics Building, a new Breathitt Veterinary Center, the replacement of Franklin Residential College and construction of a Madisonville Postsec-
ondary Education Center. The 1.5 percent budget cut to state universities, 1 percent less than what was proposed by Beshear in his education address in January, will cost Murray State approximately $720,000. The proposed state budget also includes an unfunded mandated pension cost of $1.5 million for Murray State, half of which will be reimbursed to the University’s base allocation from the state. President Tim Miller said that even with the cuts already made to Murray
State’s budget this year, additional revenue and cost reductions will continue to be sought following the release of the Senate and House’s budget. Miller did acknowledge that the University will have to raise tuition this year. However, Miller said he was happy with the decision to re-fund university projects. “We’re going to he able to replace Franklin, which is tremendous because I stayed there when I came to the University in 1963.” Miller said. “We’re out
there recruiting hard for students and we’ve got to have decent housing.” Miller said Murray State will have more construction projects than it’s ever had at one time. “We’re going to be busy and campus is going to be busy with construction next year,” he said. Miller said a final University budget for the Board of Regents will not be completed until the tuition cap for Kentucky universities from the Council on Post-Secondary Education is announced.
Campus shuts down, threat causes confusion Staff Report Campus was shut down and students were asked to stay indoors Tuesday night after reports of a man with a gun on campus flooded Public Safety and Emergency Management. Public Safety originally used University alerts to shut down campus at approximately 8:30 p.m. Campus opened again at approximately 10 p.m. after a University spokesperson said a suspect had been apprehended in connection with the reports to Public Safety. Brooke McCord, freshman from Murray, said she felt extremely illinformed on the situation. “I went downstairs and the residential advisers were sitting outside and told everyone to stay in; they didn’t go to our rooms or anything,” she said. Heather Raley, sophomore from Henderson, Ky., said she and her roommates heard a lot of screaming and officers yelling “put your hands up” and a door slamming. She said they saw about five cop cars outside of the 400 building at Campus Evolution Villages North. Vincent Burns, freshman from Murray, was in his apartment when officers entered and took custody of his roommate, Reyon Williams. Both live at Campus Evolution Villages North. “I went into my room to get my laptop, and all of the sudden I heard the police burst in and say ‘get on the ground,’” Burns said. “The officers asked me if Reyon owned a gun.” Wednesday morning, University communications said that the spottings on campus were of someone transferring a weapon from his shoulder to a vehicle in a “nonthreatening manner.” According to the University website, weapons and dangerous materials are prohibited on all property owned or controlled by Murray State.
Kate Russell/The News
Kayla Wall, senior and art education major from Mayfield, Ky., works in a Woods Hall art studio reserved for students.
National media says art degrees ‘aren’t worth the cost’ Ben Manhanke Assistant News Editor bmanhanke@murraystate.edu
Colleen Bennet, senior art major from Louisville, Ky., said she looked at art programs at the University of Kentucky, University of Louisville and Berea College before ultimately deciding to attend Murray State. “I toured Murray State’s facilities and saw the work that was produced here and I remember thinking this
SGA names candidates for 2014-15 positions
place really took its program seriously,” Bennett said. “The professors especially take the program seriously and it is very intensive. Coming to Murray State was definitely worth the money.” In an article published in The Atlantic last Wednesday, receiving an art degree from Murray State was named “the biggest waste of money” and the least valuable major to pursue of any major offered at any university across the U.S.
Meghann Anderson News Editor manderson22@murraystate.edu
After three years with the same president, the Student Government Association will soon have a new leader. Michael Dobbs, junior from Winchester, Ky., is the lone candidate for the SGA presidency. “I am nervous to be following in the footsteps of a three-term president because after three years, he likely had the routine pretty well figured out,” Dobbs said. “Coming in fresh, it will be both nerve-racking and exciting to see how every-
The article used recent data gathered by PayScale, an online salary, benefits and compensation comparison company, which made predictions on students’ average earnings for the next 20 years based on trends in the past 20 years and self-reported earnings of an unspecified amount of polled graduates. Using this data, The Atlantic reported that the net worth of an outof-state art major from Murray State over the course of 20 years is approx-
thing works.” He said the first thing he would like to accomplish is a stronger interest in SGA and more involvement within the organization. “While being the only candidate for president is great and all, students should be clamoring for this position,” Dobbs said. “I love the Murray community so much and want so bad to help it be all that it can be. I know everyone won’t have the same passion, and not everyone should. But, I would like to see more students interested in SGA and what it does.” He said he doesn’t think students
imately -$200,000. Art majors paying in-state tuition also made the list of 23 universities and their corresponding majors that have the lowest net returns – Murray State ranking seventh worst, with a reported -$147,000 in net return. Bennett said it takes a long time for those working exclusively freelance producing drawings and paintings to
see ART, 2A
realize how powerful an organization like SGA can be and that it is the vehicle for student concerns and suggestions to the administration of Murray State. The two candidates running for vice president of SGA are Aida De La Fuente, junior from Louisville, Ky., and Grant Grissom, graduate student from Hickman, Ky. The vice president of SGA also serves as the president of the Campus Activities Board. De la Fuente said she has developed a vast love for Murray State
see SGA, 2A
15 to finish: A goal to graduate in 4 Rebecca Walter || Staff writer rwalter@murraystate.edu
Jenny Rohl/The News
SPRING WEATHER: Students enjoy warm weather in the Quad Monday by playing cornhole, studying in the grass and swinging in hammocks.
College is by no means a cheap endeavor and the faster students graduate, the less debt they will accumulate. In order to keep students on a oneway track to graduating in four years, Murray State has recently taken part in the 15 to finish initiative. The program is through the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education and works to promote obtaining a college degree in four years. Barbara Cobb, coordinator of academic advising, said graduating in four years is beneficial for all students, especially in an economic sense. “It is important goal for all students, considering education costs and the
state of the economy,” Cobb said. Like the name suggests, 15 to finish encourages students to take 15 credit hours a semester to be able to graduate in four years. Taking 15 credit hours for eight semesters gives students the 120 hours they need to graduate. President Tim Miller said he realizes being a full-time student and taking 15 credit hours is not an obtainable goal for every student. “All students are different,” Miller said. “Some have to work to support themselves financially and simply cannot go to school full time as well.” Miller also said some students do not always know what they want to major in right away, which can set them back. He said in a financial sense, it is better for students to work to gradu-
ate as fast as they can so they will not have so much debt later on. “Being full time should be a target for students who are able to do so,” Miller said. To be considered full time at Murray State, students must take at least 12 credit hours per semester. Some stuMiller dents need more than 15 credits per semester to graduate, but the 15 to finish is a starting point in terms of thinking about the best way to complete a degree in the least amount of time, Cobb said.
see GRADUATE, 2A
WHAT’S
LOCAL RACES
OUR VIEW
CIT CHAMPIONS
DRAG SHOW
INSIDE
Students train for 5K, half marathon, 3A
Students should pursue art, regardless of money, 4A
Racers keep lead against Yale, take title, 1B
A college student perspective to a unique experience, 5B