By Matt Stiver staff reporter If TCU maintains its current budget model, the university will be running deficits by the 2002-03 academic year, Chancellor Michael R. Ferrari told members of the Faculty Senate. Speaking at the final Faculty Senate meeting of the semester Thursday, Ferrari updated members on the November Board of Trustees meeting. As part of the Commission on the Future of TCU, the Board discussed the university budget and what role it plays in helping the university move to the next level of academic distinction. The commission will study how TCU can feasibly move to that level. Though he discussed five budget models, Ferrari has not presented or decided on one single model. He said the discussion phase is underway. "Right now we're just trying to understand how all these complex issues interact," he said. "We have to look at how all these things flow together. You can't talk about size without talking about tuition and diversity." Ferrari said four key factors are being weighed in the budget models: the size of the university, price, percentage of endowment used in the budget and debt. Currently, the university uses 5.8 percent of its estimated $800 million endowment in its annual budget. Also, the university does not undertake debt on building projects because projects are not begun until all funding is raised, Ferrari said. Under the current model - what Ferrari called the "stay-the-course" model - TCU would continue to progress at the rate it has: 5 percent annual increase in tuition, continuing to use 5.8 percent of the endowment, 5 percent increase in financial aid and slight increases in faculty and staff members. If TCU continues this model, it will enter the red in three years. Four of the five budget models would place TCU in deficits within three years. Some members of the TCU community have said that TCU is underpriced and that to move to the next level, the university needs to increase tuition and decrease enrollment. Ferrari presented this as the "prestige plan." Under this plan, TCU would have 100 fewer students, 10 percent annual tuition increases, 20 percent financial aid increases and hold faculty and staff constant. This plan would result in substantial deficits in three years, Ferrari said. The one plan that would result in surpluses would require TCU to apply what Ferrari called "multiple factors." TCU would annually increase tuition 3 percent on top of inflation, lower the endowment percentage to 5.5 percent, increase athletic income to 5 percent, increase financial aid to 12.5 percent and enter debt service for facilities. In other matters, the Senate updated procedures for the nomination and selection of honorary degrees. The procedure has not been updated since 1974. Roger Pfaffenberger, chairman of the Faculty Senate and a professor of finance and decision science, said updating the policy was a much-needed change. "I think we've only given one honorary degree since 1986," he said. "(Ferrari) wants to get us back on track in doing honorary degrees, and we should. It's something that's distinctive and important for a university to do."
Matt Stiver
By Steven Baker staff reporter After turning a one-man lawnmower business into a $12 million company, alumnus David Minor will return to TCU next semester as the director of the entrepreneurial center. Minor spent his last two years at TCU attending business administration classes in the morning and mowing lawns in the afternoon at what is now the M.J. Neeley School of Business. However, since graduating from TCU in 1980, Minor has hired more than 275 people for his company - Minor's Landscape Services. "It seems pretty funny to me going from studying at TCU and loading up my lawnmower every afternoon, to coming back almost 20 years later and teaching classes at the same university," Minor said. As director, Minor will be working closely with the business undergraduates, MBA students and local entrepreneurs in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Classes will be offered through the entrepreneurial center in the Neeley school for TCU students and the community. "This is a great hire," said William Moncrief, interim dean of the business school. "He will do a lot to bring some national attention to the school. We couldn't do better in a million years." Chuck Williams, interim associate dean and chairman of the management department, said Minor was chosen because of his creativity, ability to get things done and his strong relationship with the Fort Worth community. "When we spoke with Minor and then found out he was interested in the position, we knew he was the right person," he said. "Minor has done the research and outreach over and over in this area. Everything just seemed to fit." Minor said he hopes some day the program will expand to include an entrepreneurial degree at the undergraduate level. In the meantime, organizers from the Neeley school are still developing the program for the center. "You must have a commitment level to do whatever it takes to make your ventures successful," he said. "It may not be the most comfortable way to begin a career outside of college, but the rewards could be tremendous on a personal and professional level." Minor sold his business for an undisclosed amount in 1998 to TruGreen-ChemLawn and then became that company's landscape division vice president. Now, Minor will be working full-time at the entrepreneurial center. Minor said the Neeley School is a good mixture of professionals with practical and academic experience. "It is nice to help influence students," he said. "I have some very distinct ideas about how they should treat their employees and what their responsibilities are in the communities they serve. This is kind of my way of giving back to the TCU community that helped me."
Steven Baker
By Matt Stiver staff reporter Two people enter a classroom dressed in long black robes. After a brief presentation, the professor teaching the class begins to cry. But these are tears of joy. When the Mortar Board Senior Honor Society selected faculty members for its annual Preferred Prof's Dinner, that is exactly what happened. The annual dinner, held at Blue Mesa Cafe Thursday night, is a chance for students to honor the professor they think has had a significant impact on them during their time at TCU. Mortar Board members select a faculty member for the dinner, who is then notified through a formal tapping process. Joel Heydenburk, president of Mortar Board and a senior finance major, said being tapped is an honor for faculty members. "I did a couple of the tappings, and I had a couple of the professors cry when we told them they were chosen," Heydenburk said. "It is a very big honor because some professors just don't ever get recognized. They see it as a big honor when they do." Heydenburk said two Mortar Board members enter the professor's classroom while class is in session and read a description of Mortar Board. Because this is the same process by which Mortar Board members are tapped, it is not until the members read a description of the faculty member's academic achievements that the professor knew he or she was selected for the dinner, he said. "They were in the middle of lecture, most times," Heydenburk said. "They were all very gracious, especially the ones who didn't know we were coming. And they were even more surprised when they found out it was them because that is how we tap for membership. We read something about Mortar Board then we read something about the person." Joelle Martin, a senior economics major, selected Rob Garnett, an instructor of economics, as her faculty member. "He spends a lot of time in his office and is available to students," Martin said. "And he is a really great teacher." Garnett said his selection was a "tremendous honor" because it means he has reached his students. "It's a funny thing about teaching," Garnett said. "You're never quite sure what's happening. You spend a lot of time and you do a lot of work and you work with a lot of students, but you're never quite sure what's coming across. It's nice when you find out that things have gone well."
Matt Stiver
Racism allegations investigated Sept. 3, 1980 TCU administrators launch a plan to address race relations on campus. The effort comes as a result of strong student reaction over a professor's recent guest column in the Skiff attacking the Greek community for its allegedly racist membership selection practices.
Controversy over tuition increase March 1, 1983 The TCU Board of Trustees plan to raise tuition rates to $140 a semester hour. In a forum with Chancellor William Tucker, students and parents complain that some students may be forced to leave school as a result of the higher cost.
Alcohol guidelines change Aug. 28, 1986 In the first Skiff issue of the fall semester, TCU administrators discuss the new alcohol guidelines in the residence halls, which were put into effect when the halls opened in mid-August. The guidelines reflect a new Texas law that takes effect Sept. 1 and raises the legal drinking age from 19 to 21.
Council denies garage request Feb. 15, 1989 The Fort Worth City Council denies a request by University Christian Church to build a three-story parking garage and retirement center on land located just north of TCU, at the corner of Rogers and Cantey streets. Neighborhood residents and some TCU students were opposed to the proposed structures, which would replace four houses and two parking lots currently on the site.
Campus reacts to attacks on Iraq Jan. 18, 1991 The morning after President Bush ordered air strikes to begin on Iraq, students gather in the Student Center lounge to watch an address by President Bush on two large televisions brought in for the occasion. A prayer vigil was held, but the only visible sign of protest on the campus was a banner displayed on Clark Hall proclaiming, "Peace Through Peace, Not Through War!"
KTCU broadcasts from the beach March 12, 1993 The Skiff reports that university radio station KTCU has been selected with four other Texas college radio stations to broadcast live from a Coca-Cola-sponsored party during Spring Break at South Padre Island. A KTCU disc jockey will spend several days on the island, making live reports throughout the day to listeners.
Cable TV, Internet debut in dorms Aug. 23, 1995 Students and administrators are quoted in the Skiff as being "excited" about a new wiring system installed in the dormitories by a company called Campuslink. The system will allow students to receive cable television and Internet access in their rooms, two services which were not previously available. Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Don Mills said, "Three or four years from now I would like to see every student on the Internet."
Compiled by staff reporter Alan Melson
By Reagan Duplisea Skiff London Correspondent LONDON - He's been called a prankster, a good vocalist and a devoted big brother - so what is Joel-Patrick "J-P" Millsap doing at the U.S. Embassy in London? Millsap, a junior international finance major and student in the TCU London Centre, is wrapping up his semester as intern in the embassy's International Marketing Centre, Division of Commercial Service. He is one of nine interns in the TCU London Centre program working in London this semester. But despite working in such a prestigious place, Millsap said he has found ways to liven things up. "I am a walking example that a little bit of comedy mixed in with a lot of dedication can smooth over any problem or crisis," Millsap said. Angela Evelyn, secretary of the IMC, said Millsap was a lot of help in the office, but he kept her on her toes. "He's a prankster," Evelyn said. "You always have to stay one step ahead of him. Sometimes I'll be really deep in work, and he'll ring me up and say, 'I've had a complaint about you. You're being too loud. Can you be quiet, please?'" While Millsap has enjoyed his internship, he said it has brought with it some obstacles to overcome. "The biggest challenge is being able to prioritize, such as if I'm working on a project and something bigger comes up," Millsap said. "It's only a thing you learn in the business world." Millsap said he would eventually like to go into a sales career. "This is why the IMC fit because I get direct contact with people," Millsap said. "I love to work with people." John Cunningham, a junior English major and Millsap's roommate since their sophomore year, said Millsap's people skills helped him succeed at the embassy. "He's a people person," he said. "If he gets a chance to work with people, that's where he thrives." Although Millsap said he sees his future in the business world, his dream job would be the stage. He said his favorite thing about London is the theatre, citing his favorite shows as "Phantom of the Opera" and "Blood Brothers." Millsap said he would play Mickey in "Blood Brothers" if he had the choice of any role. Dustin Kisler, Millsap's close friend from high school, said one thing that many people may not know about Millsap is that he is a great vocalist. He and Millsap participated in several musicals in high school together. Millsap said he plans to join the choir at TCU next semester. He said he would also like to add Alpha Phi Omega, ultimate frisbee and tae kwon do to his list of extracurricular activities, which currently include Pi Kappa Phi, being a devoted football and basketball fan, the Honors program, working as an assistant librarian at the Mary Couts Burnett Library reference desk and the House Elections and Regulations Committee. Kisler said Millsap can be counted on outside of work and extracurricular activities. "He's a true blue friend," he said. "If you have a problem with your parents, your girlfriend, you need to be picked up. I know I can call J-P no matter what." Cunningham said he admires Millsap's optimism. "He's got the most positive attitude I've ever seen," he said. "If he had a bad day, you'd never know. He'd turn it into something positive."
Reagan Duplisea |
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