Chapter 4
Resources

 

4.7 Conclusions

SVSU is financially administered on a sound and prudent basis. As the financial data indicates, the institution has operated in a cost-effective manner, has maintained sufficient reserves, and has had the ability to survive economic downturns. Annual audits have consistently been positive and have substantiated reported financial information.

The university has initiated improvements to hiring processes, with a focus on diversity, and has implemented a new performance management process for all administrative and support staff. The impact of these changes remains to be evaluated. Hiring processes need to be more closely aligned with university mission, and all faculty/staff development activities need to derive from institutional goals.

The campus provides a safe working and living environment. A majority of campus facilities are new or renovated, and a deferred maintenance plan is in place. However, the current budget climate places more pressure on the institution to identify and implement operating efficiencies.

The university has made a qualitative step forward in employing technology, and has greatly expanded training opportunities for students, faculty and staff. A major transformation has occurred within the past four years. Currently, however, there is inadequate budget for necessary future IT upgrades, replacement costs, and staff positions. Institutionalized support for technology integration originally supported by grants will need to be addressed in future funding.

The university library has undergone major renovation and expansion. Its online resources have likewise expanded greatly. Adequate resources will continue to be necessary to support rising costs of subscriptions, materials, and services.

SVSU needs to prepare for the impact of an optimal size environment (around 10,000 students, 1700 living on campus) and plan for future tuition rate decisions, any further physical plant expansion, and resource reallocation strategies. The university must continue aggressive pursuit of operational efficiencies through process improvement programs. All of these concerns should be addressed in the next phase of planning.

The allocation of resources is not completely understood across campus, as budget development is a centralized process. However, a linkage between resource allocation and the planning process is evident in the regular review of Next Steps 2000-2005, which provides clear demonstration that resources have been allocated in support of SVSU’s mission and goals.