the review washburn university
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volume 136, Issue 15 • wednesday, February 3, 2010
Regents discusses outsourcing
Photo by Tesa DeForest, Washburn Review
Budget Dilemmas: Board member Bob Storey and University President Jerry Farley review paperwork at the Jan. 29 Board of Regents meeting. After discussing the possibility of outsourcing facility services, the Board received criticism from former employee Mary Lou Herring who suggested an audit of administrative salaries as a means to cut expenses.
Regina Budden WASHBURN REVIEW
Amidst the beautiful children called good news that were borne in gleeful tones to the Board of Regents at the meeting on Jan. 29, the bitterly jealous and red-headed stepchild named “outsourcing” took center stage for much of the time. Washburn University President Jerry Farley began his report by announcing that university housing and enrollment are both significantly
higher than last year. But apparently even the higher numbers are not enough to maintain the university, because even after this positive news, board member James Roth reported that the Budget Finance Committee voted unanimously to move for a bid to see how much the school could potentially save by outsourcing its maintenance and facilities services. “We are not asking to approve them at this point,” Roth said, noting that this was only a move to see if outsourcing some services is worth the trouble. He said that the university
would incur no out-of-pocket costs for issuing a request for proposal to companies interested in taking over the facilities services of Washburn. The Regents listened to other speakers before voting on the matter, and even after unanimously voting to send out RFPs, the board maintained that this move does not necessarily mean that it will, in fact, outsource the facilities services. “I’m going to go with ‘aye’ (on sending out RFPs), but that has nothing to do with how I’ll vote when the RFPs come back,” said board member
Bob Storey. “We have to look at all our is astonishing to watch your caloptions…There has to be saving we lous disregard for the faculty.” can do, and not just at certain people.” Herring suggested that, inThe Steel Worker’s Union mem- stead of outsourcing jobs or cutbers also proposed changes to the com- ting faculty, the Regents should do pensation clause of the maintenance and “an independent analysis of adminfacilities services contract to help re- istrative salaries,” as well as hold duce costs. Emil Ramirez, a union rep- Farley to a higher accountability. resentative, said the union is working Farley denied that the school was hard to get people back on the job faster. targeting those at the bottom, saying, “In Kansas “As resources we’re at the botdecline, inevitom of the work- “ tably you have er’s compensato look at reWe have to look at tion benefits and ducing costs premiums,” said across every all our options.... Ramirez, “We’re area…It’s across There has to be 48th out of 50.” the board.” Wa s h b u r n One more saving we can do. U n i v e r s i t y ’s cost-cutting plan union president, that was opened Mike Haze, said is a retirement that it is only incentive, which - Bob Storey natural that the will provide Board of Regents board would health insurance send out RFPs. for up to three ” years and give “Any and all avenues should a one-time paybe looked at… ment of 50 perThe union has presented a plan, and cent of an employee’s current salary that’s going to be looked into, too, for those employees that turn 62 by and I think that’s important,” he said. July 1 and have provided 10 years of Mary Lou Herring also spoke service to Washburn University. Farley up at the meeting, saying that part said that this measure is designed to of the budget issues are due to the protect those of low income while poadministration’s lack of respect for tentially saving the university money. faculty members. Herring, a ToThe meeting also included prepeka CPA and former Washburn sentations by Gordon McQuere, employee, cited the faculty vote of dean of the college of arts and sci“no confidence” in Michael Gunter. ences, and Willie Dunlap, dean “Your administration has flatout ignored that,” said Herring. “It Please see BOARD page A3
WSGA lecturers receive positive response Lauren Eckert WASHBURN REVIEW
Union Daze moves inside the Memorial Union to avoid winter weather.
Caley Onek, vice president of WSGA, commended the university on the support it has shown for this lecture series, especially the buy-in that they have received from faculty and staff who have encouraged student attendance through extra credit opportunities or class participation points. “[The lecture series] has been the most consistently successful event on campus,” Love said, adding that there was standing room only for both the Spurlock and Whitacre presentations. While no speaker has been set for the final spot in the series, WSGA is optimistic about the possibilities they are currently considering. Possible speakers include Chris Gardner, inspiration for the film “Pursuit of Happyness,” Angela from the television show “The Office,” and wildlife enthusiast Jeff Corwin.
Mulvane Art Museum offers a Celtic-style illuminated manuscript class that crosses disciplinary bounds.
ORN C P E PO ODA! E R F S AND
Spring Career Fair Job & Internship Seekers:
Meet and talk with potential employers.
Career Explorers:
Ask questions about career opportunities in many fields.
Happy Birthday Washburn! Friday, Feb. 5th Only Celebrate with Great Deals at the Bookstore!
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February 17, 2010 | 10:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Lee Arena Don’t forget:
Copies of your resume Notepad & pen Great interpersonal skils Knowledge of the organizations
Network to learn about careers, jobs, potential employers!
Washburn Bookstore is celebrating Black History month Receive 20% off retail price on all African American Posters and books Not Valid with any other discounts or coupons. Limited to stock on hand.
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Mark Whitacre
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Morgan Spurlock
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Washburn law students set out to make Topeka more bike friendly.
sports
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This Year’s Speakers
Lauren Eckert is a junior mass media major. Reach her at lauren.eckert@ washburn.edu.
a&e
news & opinion
From “Super Size Me” superstars to white-collar whistle blowers, the Washburn Student Government Association has worked hard to bring guest speakers to campus who students not only recognize, but who also have an interesting story to tell. While WSGA is not currently involved in any negotiations to finalize a third and final speaker to complete its annual lecture series, the first two speakers brought in rave reviews after attracting an audience of more than 1,200 students, faculty and community members. In response to the timely debates about health and obesity, WSGA brought in Morgan Spurlock, star of the 2004 documentary “Super Size Me.” Mark Whitacre, the highest-level executive in a Fortune 500 company to turn whistle blower in U.S. his-
tory and the inspiration behind Matt Love said, explaining that WSGA Damon’s character in the film “The frequently partners with the WashInformant” was brought in as well burn Endowment Association, during the fall semester. His story Campus Activities Board and other proved relevant to the current reces- community groups and businesses. sion and state of the nation’s economy. The Endowment Association esGarrett Love, WSGA president, pecially plays an integral part in prosaid that the main goal of bringing viding funding for such events through speakers to campus is to find someone telethons and other fundraising. Conthat students want to see. He said that versations with Washburn alumni and informal surveys are done previous donors also ento find out what students courage people to give in CAMPUS really want to see or hear. order to provide students EVENTS “We definitely don’t with these opportunities. want to target just one Speakers are also paid specific population,” Love said. for with the university activity fee, which “That is the biggest thing that we is a $43 fee that Washburn students look at, in addition to pricing.” pay at the beginning of each semester. While WSGA is primarily re“We want the money to go where sponsible for contracting the speak- the students want it to go,” Love said. ers it chooses to bring to campus, “The budget is public information. the organization typically is only Students have a big say in how their responsible for 20 to 30 percent money is spent. WSGA takes spending of the total cost of the speaker. the student activity fee very seriously. “What we do depends on what We want it to be used very effectively other people can put towards it,” and efficiently for Washburn students.”