Was it Book Keeper who told us there was no $1.8 million in reorganization savings and SeeMore who questioned how many times USM could spend it?  If I remember my properties of zero correctly, then the savings can be spent an infinite number of times without ever touching the reserve.

I'm very smart now that I have my PhD in Economic Development Numerology.

quote:

---

Originally posted by: Advocate
"It seems that once again the finances at USM don't pass the sniff test.  As has been said before, follow the money.  Personality disagreements won't change an administration, but proof of financial malfeasance will."

---

Maybe this is something, maybe not.  The press release from today's IHL board meeting is now on the IHL website.  It announces the reduction of required hours from 131.4 to 124, the approval of a FY2006 appropriations budget, and a new AG-approved law firm to represent USM in its Casino program endeavors.  The press release does not, however, mention approval to solicit bids for the Trent Lott Center.  There is some interesting wording that maybe someone else wants to comment on.

"In addition, the Board approved the release of five percent contingency funds generally reserved until late in the fiscal year.  The Board reserved the right to require university spending reductions later in the fiscal year if the economy and general fund revenues unexpectedly turn down."

quote:

---

Originally posted by: Googler
"Universities are required to hold back 5% of the budget as contingency funds. From what you've said, it sounds like the Board is allowing the universities to use that 5% earlier as necessary. Perhaps they are doing this in anticipation of lower enrollments due to the increased costs and believe the universities might need early access to those funds. The Board reserving the right to require university spending reductions due to general fund revenue downturns could lead to any number of cost cutting measures-- extreme measures such as layoffs and/or pay cuts (merit raises--here today, gone tomorrow) or more minimal measures such as operating budget reductions (which many budgets already have been cut to the bone during the last couple of cycles of E&G funding reductions)."

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by: Googler
"Invictus, don't forget that MSU gets federal funds due to its land-grant status."

---

Mississippi State University, by virtue of its land-grant status, may be in a better position to contribute to Mississippi's economic development than is any other university in this state. An underlying rationalle for the land-grant university is that reserach developments which have their origin on the unversity campus are to be taken out to the community and freely given for the benefit of the public. The purveyor of such information and application is typically the extension agent.  Interesting that they are called "extension agents" rather than "entrepreneurs" or "potential millionaires." A different view of economic development, I reckon, from what I have heard recently around here.

quote:

---

Originally posted by: Eaglegate
"But it certainly looks much better than the buildings that resemble converted 1960's motels from which exist elsewhere on campus. "

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by: Invictus
" At what point did "it" decide to become a polytechnic? "

---

Pyrotechnic or Polytechnic?  Smoke and mirrors might just be a combination of the two.

quote:

---

Originally posted by: Geraldo
" Whatever it looks like is one issue, but what is it supposed to be? Will any part of the current CBED be in there? All of it? Just economic development? That may be the optimal solution."

---

All of the CBED will be there. After all, we don't need a real business school when we have Economic Development.

The current Green Hall will be dedicated for 099 classes.