The Rambler (Fort Worth, Tex.), Vol. 81, No. 10, Ed. 1 Wednesday, April 22, 1998 Page: 1 of 6
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IBRARV
The students' voice since 1917
April 22, 1998
Fort Worth, Texas
Vol. 81, HoJVT/e
Wesleyan raises tuition, cuts classes
Jason Lamkrs
Stuff writer
In reponse to a projected $2.6
million deficit, Wesleyan has decid-
ed to raise tuition six .percent, cut
classes by approximately 16 percent
and forego raises tor faculty, staff
and administrators.
Registration lias been post-
poned a week due to student and
faculty concern over the schedule.
A meeting was called by Dr.
Mike Dixon, chair of the Faculty
Council, on April 15 in reaction of a
petition signed by concerned faculty
members.
Schrum addressed faculty after
announcing the university's project-
ed $2.6 million deficit.
"It may seem like the sky is
falling," said Schrum. He, added
that the university is not in danger of
folding or closing its basic programs
"The enrollment patterns seem to be
strong. We have met but did not
exceed the projected enrollment,"
said Schrum.
"The financial condition of the
university is very strong now," said
Schrum.
According to Schrum in the
past seven years the budget has
increased from Si 1 million to S29.7
million and the endowment has
increased from $24 million to $46
million.
"The operating budget is very
difficult to balance, It's a difficult
situation," said Schrum, "I've made
some serious mistakes and II will
take full responsibility for these mis-
takes."
Schrum said the projected $2.6
million deficit includes: $1.2 mil-
lion of unbudgeted expenditures for
adjunct faculty, $400,000 of unbud-
geted financial aid expenditures and
$1 million of over expenditures on
the administrative side of the operat-
ing budget.
However, Schrum said the
exact amount of the deficit won't be
known until the audit is complete at
the end of the fiscal year.
"We didn't budget enough for
adjunct faculty," said Schrum.
(According to University officials,
the average adjunct professor is paid
a salary range of approxirnatly
$1,750 to $2,400 for a three-hour
credit class.)
Schrum said, included in the
operating costs was high legal costs
between $300,000 and $400,000
accumulated from lawsuits against
the university.
"I made a mistake. 1 went
against my belter judgment and
shrunk the administration too small
when 1 moved from five vice presi-
dents to three Tom Armstrong, the
chief academic officer was willing
to take on financial responsibility.lt
has not worked well for the univer-
sity," said Schrum.
Schrum hired
Pat' Evans, certified
public accountant
and senior partner of
Sproles Woodard one
and a half months
ago to work with the
financial office from
a business perspective to tighten the
University's belt without cutting
people.
Schrum also called for a new
governing structure for the universi-
ty composed of councils of students,
faculty,'staff and administrators..
Schrum said the university is
looking at,not filling open positions,
cutting back on the administrative
buget dramatically and still serve the
students. If cuts have to he made
Schrum said, "We will start cutting
administrators first."
Included in these cost cuts, the
university published a course sched-
ule that virtually eliminated the sec-
ond summer session.
Evans said some classes will be
added to the schedule though he did
not say which or how many.
The revised schedule is slated
to be ready April 22.
"It's not fair for faculty to bear
the burden, how
is cutting classes
helping create
revenue?" asked
Dr. Joy Edwards,
professor of
Education.
S c h i" u m
reponded, "If we consolidate classes
we could save $600,000. There are
too many classes with two few stu-
dents." Dr.
Edwards, said. "Don't ask the facul-
ty to bear on its shoulders the brunt
of this deficit."
Entry level faculty members at
Wesleyan earn, from $25, 000 to
$27,000, while tenured faculty
members earn from $40,000 to
"By cutting classes,
the university is
alienating students."
-Aaron Young
$45,000.
Dr. Ibrahim Salih, professor of
political science, referring to Evans,
said. "With all due respect sir. why
do you bring this man with a knife to
the university slashing classes to
peices without telling us?" Schrum
said he thought it would be a good
idea to bring in an outsider to look at
the problem and make 'sure the uni-
veristy had not overlooked anything.
"Why wasn't faculty asked
about course cuts? 1 just found out
when 1 looked at the course sched-
ule." said Dr. John Hall, professor of
psychology.
Schrum said. "We didn't handle
the. situation right."
Many classes were cut from the
Weekend University also. One fac-
ulty member asked how can
Wesleyan support "mainstream
America" when it cuts classes out of
the Weekend University?
Schrum said, "We would like to
serve all students, but 1 don't know
if we.can."
Dr. Mary Joyce Burnett, direc-
tor of the Weekend University,
asked why Wesleyan doesn't market
Weekend University. Schrum said,
"It costs money for marketing."
Dr. Frank Norwood, professor
of business, said, "We 'need to
decide if we want the Weekend
University or not
After the meeting,Arron Young,
president of Student Government
Association, said! "By cutting class-
es, the university is alienating the
students. Not giving the faculty a
raise, rasing tuition and cutting
classes will start a snowball effect
that will drive faculty and students
away from the Univeristy."
Young said, "For the quality of
services and facilities avaliable for
students the board is about to price
themselves out of the market. If it
had not been for the great faculty
and staff of the university; I
would' vc left already."
Brent Morton, treasurer for
S.G.A., said, "1 think the cancelling
of classes in the summer session is
definitely questioning the integrity
and the quality of education at
Wesleyan I am wondering if Jake
Schrum thinks this university would
be more financially reasponsible if
there were no students in atten-
dance."
Faculty assembly
will hold
confidence vote on
Applin, Voskuil
and Armstrong
Jason Lamkrs
Staff writer
The faculty assembly will vote Thursday, April 23, whether
or not to ask President Jake B. Schrum to fire Dr. Tom Armstrong,
senior vice president and provost. Dr. Skip Applin, associate vice
president for student life and athletics and Dave Voskuil, vice pres-
ident of student enrollment, according to Dr. Mike Dixon, chair-
man of the faculty council and faculty assembly and professor of
biology.
"There are concerns among the faculty about how these
administrators have done their job," said Dixon
Schrum said he would take any action on the part of the fac-
ulty assembly Very seriously. "Anytime the entire faculty votes on
matters concerning senior staff it is very serious."
Voskuil said, "I'm not aware of any vote. I will just have to
wait and see what happens."
Armstrong cancelled an interview with The Rambler Tuesday.
Applin did not return phone calls.
According to Brent Morton, treasurer for the student govern-
ment association, Schrum said he would cut off his right arm
before asking for Voskuil's resignation
Schrum said, "If the faculty doesn't want me, 1 don't want to
be here. I've had three job offers in the past 60 days and one pays
twice what I'm snaking here " ■
"I've made mistakes, I'm human," said Schrum, "I have quite
a bit of dedication to this university. I'm working hard and believe
the university is a better place than it was seven years ago. I will
continue to do the best I can do."
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Photos by Jon McKen/.ie
A'-sV
Students protest
tuition increase
Laurie Kisner
News editor
Approximately 200 Wesleyan students
and faculty rallied April 17 on the steps of
the administration building to protest the six
percent tuition increase, the $2.6 million
deficit due to mismanagement of funds and
reduction of class offerings.
Faculty and local media observed the
protesters led by Brent Morton, SGA trea-
surer, who planned the rally to coincide with
the board of trustees meeting on the third
floor.
President Jake B. Schrum addressed the
crowd which shouted, "No way we won't
pay" and waved signs ranging from "TCU,
here we come" to "Wesleyan United."
Schrum expressed his appreciation for
Students protest tuition hikes near
the administration building April 17.
Brent Morton, student government
treasurer, (at right) leads the demon-
stration.
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the concern of the students and said he was
impressed with the demonstration.
"Why Shouldn't we go to TCU?" one
protester shouted after expressing her con-
cern for the tuition increase and the lack of
facilities at Wesleyan. She said she has been
here five years and has not seen any big
changes.
Schrum said, "If you'd be willing to pay
$12,000 for tuition here, we cotild provide
some of the things you want."
Other students said that the administra-
tion and board of trustees does not care, and
that the protest would not make a difference.
David Floyd, president of the Alumni
Association, said he does not agree. "I dis-
pute the fact that the university doesn't
care," he said. "I think Wesleyan is just
going through growing pains."
Morton said he was pleased with the
turnout, although lie knew it was inevitable
that some students woujd stray from the
issues.
"It's a positive thing that so many students
showed up," he said. "I think some people
were afraid to face Schrum, but this gave
them the opportunity."
Morton also said lie could tell Schrum
was concerned. "1 can't tell if he was more
concerned about the public relations prob-
lems, or the students/' he said.
Dr. Marilyn Pugh, psychology professor
and member of the Faculty Council, who
watched the protest from the sideline, said it
has been a stressful week.
Top administrators' pay outpaces faculty raises
M vrniKvv Smith
In spite of an
expected$2.6 million budget deficit/the top admimstra-
tors of 1'ev.iv Wesleyan received pay increases last year
while professors salaries remained roughly the same.
\ comparison of 990 tax returns from 1995 and (
tust released) 1996 show pay increases for alt listed
administrators
Jake Schrum'$ pay increased from S131.750 in
t995 to $ 15tMXK) tn 1996 David \bskuil, v ice president
of student enrollment, increased tpem $$2.006 in 1995
to $86,548 in 19%. Thomas Armstrong, provost, wem
from $90,100 in 1995 to $<>9,065 in 1996 I aw School
Dean Frank Wahver's salary increased from 5151.424 in
1995 to $158,995 in 1996.
According to Dr. Bobby C. Deaton, professor of
physics, top administrative salaries are at the 100th per-
centile level relative to other universities approximate-
ly the same size and population as Wesleyan.
In contrast. Deaton said that professors' salaries are
at the 50th percentile level, and have been for some
time.". ,
Deaton said faculty salaries for 1997-98 averaged
$51,400 for a male full professor and $49,900 for a
female full professor Associate professors averaged
$43,300 male and $40,000 female while assistant pro-
lessors averaged $36,800 male and $.32,700 female
Deat. <u chairs the
Faculty * A d m inist ra ti ve
Salary Equity Committee
along with Dr Ron ReetTand
Dr Man Joy Burnett The
committee is charged with
kvktng into inequities in ,fac-_
ulty and administrative
salaries
Deaton said that in 10 lo
15 sears of salary reports the
faculty have been paid
"essentially average" while
top administration has
remained .at the 100th per-
centile.
1995
im
Jake Schrum
$131,750
SI 50.000
President
Tom Armstrong
$90,100
$99,065
Pronm/Sentor I P
Datt Voskuil
$82,000
$86,548
\ I1 at student h nmllm'tni
r.
Carvn Handleman $53,840
$76,333
VP of University Advancement
Frank Walwer
$151,424
$158,995
Dean of School
#
Deaton added that some administrative workers
such as the manager of custodial serv ices and director of
student housing are paid well below average in the 10th
through 40th percentile.
According to Deaton. Schrum. w hen he first arrived
at Wesleyan. said professors were underpaid and want-
ed to raise their salaries to the
75th percentile by the year
2000
Deaton said salaries at the
time were below average..at
the 30 and 40th percentile,
and that good raises the first
couple of years moved pay
closer to the 50th percentile.
However. Deaton said,
salary increases have since
remained relatively flat for
faculty but not for top admin-
istration. Deaton said,
"Schrum feathered his own
nest more than his facultys."
A December 15, 1997, Faculty-Administration
Salary Equity Committee report from Deaton to
Armstrong addressed the faculty salary issue.
In the report, Deaton said, "The gap between facul-
ty and administrative salaries is widening and adminis-
trators show no true interest in decreasing that gap."
Deaton also * aid, "It appears that other than lip service,
the 75th percentile goal is no longer a priority of the
University."
"In order to raise main campus faculty salaries to
near the 75th percentile, a commitment by the
University of 10 to 12 percent average raises for the next
three years would be required ", Deaton said.
I.n light of Wesleyan \ expected $2.6 million deficit
.Deaton said, "If it's that big ,we would expect to be
passed over for raises." He also said that many faculty
members are "really angry."
At an April 15 meeting with faculty members,
Schrum said there would be no raises this year but if the
budget had a surplus next year, money would go toward
faculty raises before administrative raises.
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Pfaffengut, James. The Rambler (Fort Worth, Tex.), Vol. 81, No. 10, Ed. 1 Wednesday, April 22, 1998, newspaper, April 22, 1998; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth287707/m1/1/: accessed May 2, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas Wesleyan University.