Gateway is currently in the process of developing the FY2010 Budget. Again this year we would like to make sure your voice is heard. Bryan Albrecht sent an email on Friday, January 9th to all staff regarding some of the challenges we are facing. President Albrecht in his email encouraged input in ways to find efficiencies in our expenses and increase enrollment.
Please use this blog to add your input and ideas. If you prefer to send an email, please send directly to schmitzt@gtc.edu. All submissions will be shared directly with the executive leadership of the college.
Thank you, Tina Schmitz
Below is President Albrecht's email in it's entirety:
From: Albrecht, Bryan
Sent: Fri 1/9/2009 12:45 PM
To: _Everyone
Subject: Message to All Staff
As you all know we are facing some very challenging economic times. Late this week, we were notified that as part of the State of Wisconsin budget deficit, the Wisconsin Technical College System would be impacted by the state reductions. Even though specific reductions have not been authorized by the Department of Administration or the State Legislature, we have been put on notice to plan for reductions in several selected State basic grant programs. Anne Whynott will notify managers of grant programs impacted by the notice for future direction.
This, of course, is difficult news and as we move forward I assure you that we will do everything we can to lessen the impact on our students and programs. I will keep you informed of additional changes to the WTCS budget as the State implements strategies to reduce the state budget deficit.
I encourage you to work with your program supervisors, managers and budget directors to assess ways in which we can all help to reduce program expenses and increase enrollment to stabilize the impact of State funding reductions.
Respectfully,
Bryan
Comments
FY10 Budget Approved
On June 25, 2009 the Gateway Technical College District Board unanimously approved the FY 2009-10 Budget which reflects the efforts of the Board and the staff to meet the needs of the College owners - the taxpayers of the district. The total tax levy will increase by 4.5%. We developed the budget assuming no increase in district-wide property values, therefore the tax rate assessed against a taxpayer's property will increase by 4.5%.
A lot of work and effort went in to developing a budget that outlines Gateway’s investment in the future and commitment to the community. The Budget Council is continuously challenged with finding the balance between growing expenses, and resources while maintaining a high quality service that meets the needs of the community. The Budget Council will continue to meet regularly to monitor the budget to ensure fiscal responsibility throughout the college.
Transparency and communication is key throughout the budget process. Continue to visit our intranet site and add to the budget blog. The Executive Leadership of the college and the Budget Council continue to seek your input.
In formalizing the budget, a Budget Book was developed and submitted to the Wisconsin Technical College System office. The document is posted on our website and can be found at http://www.gtc.edu/_publications/Public/GTC%20FY10%20Budget%20Book.pdf
The FY10 Budget Book has three major sections including:
• Introduction Section
o Letter to the Taxpayer from the President and Chairperson
o The FY10 Budget Message from the President and Executive Leadership
o Mission, Values and Vision
o Higher Learning Commission Accreditation
o Budget Planning Process
o Position Summary
• Financial Section
o General Classification Descriptions
o Legal Notice
o Financial Statements for Each Fund and Combined
o Balance Sheet
o Long-Term Debt Information
• Supplemental Section
o Property Tax, Equalized Valuations and Mill Rate Information
o Statistical Information on Population, FTE’s, and Headcount
o Comparisons on Enrollments and Costs per FTE by District
o Various Charts and Graphs on Revenues and Expenses
o 2008 Graduate Profile
o 2009-10 Degree and Diploma Programs
Please contact either me or Mark Zlevor should you happen to have any questions about any of the detail provided in the budget book.
Tina
FY2008-09 Budget Council Members:
Bryan Albrecht *
Debbie Davidson *
Zina Haywood *
Ann Henderson
Grace Kragness
Jackie Love
Bernie O’Connell
Larry Paruszkiewicz
Jeff Robshaw *
Tina Schmitz
Dennis Sherwood
Stephanie Sklba *
Terry Simmons *
John Thibodeau
Ann Whynott
Bill Whyte *
Mark Zlevor *
* Members of the Executive Leadership Committee (ELC)
Trip Reports
The College does have a policy that requires employees to summarize, in writing, the purpose of any out of state travel. Policy C-120 - Travel can be found on this intranet site. This policy requires that an Off Campus Activity Request Form be approved by the employee's supervisor for any out of state travel. This form, which can be found on on this itranet site as well, has a section in which the employee states the purpose of the travel.
Trip Reports
When I worked in the private sector, whenever an employee took a trip for any reason, using company funds, they were required to submit a trip report indicating where they went, who they met with, the purpose of the trip, and the results of the trip. I believe that it is even more important in the public sector that each trip is documented with a report. The trip report, approved by their supervisor, should be submitted with their expense report or PCard receipt/envelope.
Junk or Treasure sounds like
Junk or Treasure sounds like a great idea. I suggest posting pictures of the items on a website that we can all view.Then if we are interested in utilizing a particular item in our class rooms or labs, contact the appropriate entity to actually go and look at it.
Use of Students as resources
Our students are an untapped resource, especially with classroom projects or assignments. Student projects could be designed to support and/or facilitate Gateway activities. For example:
Smarties could be written, designed and published by students in Written Communications.
Health screenings and health promotions could be presented by nursing students. These could be service learning projects or paid activities. Students taking blood pressures or glucose assessments at faculty in-services, etc. Better health and lower cost insurance potential.
Tech students assist in computer installations, repair, etc.
I guess we need to look at how our students can learn and help Gateway go green or be involved in activities that we sometimes contract our or take extra time to do. Having them integrated in classroom experiences provides a degree of quality control and completion of projects.
Student Resources = Smart
I wanted to comment on the most recent blog entitled “Use of Students as resources”. I think this is an extremely ‘smart’ idea that I know for a fact is used more at other technical colleges. The learning potential for hands on experiences like these mentioned (and many more) is tremendous! The benefit to the college would be enormous as well. I encourage faculty to think beyond the boundaries of their program to form a network of learning throughout this college. We can improve the student learning here at Gateway and breathe life into our institution.
Student Resources
I agree with you Kathy. I taught customer service courses to a wonderful group of students in the now defunct Student Tech Corps group at UW-Parkside. This was exactly what was mentioned in this blog- a group of current students who did the trouble shooting for computer problems in the university. The students were paid employees, part-time, connected to to the school and the faculty and staff. They loved their jobs, and they learned valuable hands-on experience in dealing with the public on telephones, face-to-face, etc.. They served a very valuable component to the campus and to the CS dept. where more help was always needed.
Jaci Haley-Renaud
Hort?
What are we doing making a retail garden center? Would that not be a conflict with Menards/Lowes/Steins?
conflict of interest
This is absolutely a direct conflict of interest with many of our area employers who might hire our students. The insurance liabilities etc. are another thing to consider. "For Free" is one thing, as a business is a whole different animal. We just could be shooting our selves in the foot if we start operating like this.
HUH?
Wow, what kind of thinking is this?! Competition amoung retailers is a good thing!! I can tell you this from expierence. Many years ago we had a beautiful downtown. When the Leader Store, Garb's, Elliots and Korfs went out...there was no competion and no one benfited...there was not much to go downtown for after that! The rest of the business down there eventually cloesd.
I think it is a great idea for Retail Garden Center!
Cut Greenhouse Energy Costs Now and Into the Future
The horticulture program recieved a donation for shade cloth in the greenhouse. Staff and faculty decided it would make sense to get a quote for a 'thermal blanket' system installed in the greenhouse which provides shade and prevents heat loss at the same time. The thermal blanket will reduce energy loss through the greenhouse covering by at least 50%! We only have enough donated money for the 'old fashioned' shade cloth with no insulating value. We have been told there is no money for the thermal blanket system. We are installing a geothermal heat system in the greenhouse in April. It only makes sense to install a thermal blanket with it. The geothermal system + thermal blanket could reduce our greenhouse heating needs by 80-95%!.
My Big Green Dream!
Last month horticulture faculty presented a plan to the strategic planning/capital expenditure committee to expand the horticulture facility into 'The Center For Sustainable Living'. This center would focus on 'green collar job training' to capture funding from the 'Green Jobs Act' that will soon be activated by our new President Obama. Horticulture and HVAC are presently working together on geothermal. Where will all the people go who want to view the new geothermal heat system in our greenhouse? This includes HVAC as well as greenhouse people. The only place to enter is our classroom....
Also part of this plan is to create a retail garden center. We have had an informal garden center every spring at the horticulture center for many years. Spring plant sales provide a significant and increasing part of our program budget.
A greenhouse is quite simply a magnet for gardeners in spring that cannot be denied. A professional retail garden center would provide hands on education and training for our horticulture students while generating income. This income would not only benefit horticulture students but would also support campus display gardens and the new 'Master Landscape Plan'. This is how every botanic garden in the world operates!
In the end the entire campus benefits with a beautiful campus, a collegiate image and the Gateway experience that leads to increased enrollments.
Today has been very inspiring! Thanks for the opportunity for input. I can send you the full proposal if desired.
Sincerely, Kate Field, Horticulture Instructor
Junk or Treasure?
We all have stuff/equipment that we no longer use in our offices. How about a Gateway 'rummage sale'-but everything would be free? Collect all stuff/equipment at one location (either district or by campus) and set a couple of dates/times for staff to see what is available. This could eliminate purchasing some stuff/equipment. The stuff/equipment would be for Gateway staff and for Gateway purposes only (not personal use).
Our Green Future
Last month the horticulture faculty presented ideas for creating the 'Center For Sustainable Living' with a 'green technology workforce' educational focus. This plan hopes to capture funding coming from President Obama for green technology, energy efficiency and infrastructure improvement. Horticulture, HVAC, engineering could work together
One component of this plan is to build a retail garden center at the horticulture facility. We already have an 'unofficial' garden center that generates a surprisingly good income for our program and great experience for our students.
The time is right to create a real garden center which will provide the financial support needed to maintain and upgrade the horticulture program and display gardens. Gateway as a whole will benefit with beautiful grounds, more people on campus, and a an improved image resulting in increased enrollments in all programs!
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