Welcome to another edition of issues Tony 109 Steve Macintosh and our guest is Wichita State University president doctor -- welcome to the show again. Thank you very much Steve Nash he was reported even know summer. Getting ready for the faulty quite candid bits -- also staying warm. No vacation time he relaxing well I -- it -- vacation time minute to -- vacation is skating she grandchildren this year. We've. And this past year we didn't get to see them mismatches we wanted to show we were able to spend time -- so that can recharge the batteries. Now is shaping up to be another challenging autumn for W issue. Yes it'll be a challenging not amend terms. As we come off of the largest enrollment in the history of the university. We don't expect it to stay at that level. -- with the current environment to economically. And so we're trying to make sure that we've got the right classes for the right students and it would appear that we have that. Is just another. Another year of helping people prepare themselves -- job opportunities but was -- in Rome total last year with 141800. -- headcount. Students and the big differences is that we have more and more students who -- full time students and and a decade ago fifteen years ago. The majority of our students for part time student -- people working -- school. Well they're they're worried people are still working going to school but there's more of a desire to completed degree. And it used to be. This will help me in my job -- this would give me another opportunity bitten -- degree completion. Seems to be an important thing is you go out and apply for most positions or the certificate if it's a two year program whatever made me so now lessons can the minimum. Requirements it's well it it seems to be right now because an economic conditions. And employers can have a significant set of expectations. That may be in the past they didn't. Think universities have been battling lower revenues from Kansas government for two years is not a new story. And you just -- tell us about the the cuts you've had to make a Wichita State. Well our first set -- test that places as we took empty positions that we were warning to to fail. Now we've had to go to more cluster hiring in terms of combining positions. Merging positions from different departments and go where the emphasis is and in the student needs especially in health care and engineering continues to be an important part to that is as well as business how are you budgeting for the year ahead. On where we're budgeting in and we believe. With our enrollment. And -- the current budget that. We will not have to deal with further cuts this year. I am concerned about the economy and yes I'm trying to build in a little bit of buffer. As I indicated to you earlier I don't expect enrollment to be as high in terms of a -- I expect the numbers students in classes to the about the same because of the full time students taking class. It's a border -- asking for increases in funding. -- we don't cement our budget requests until. September for FY eleven. And when we do submit that we submitted with the expectation of -- increases okay. But now how much of your revenues. Doctor based comes from the state and how much comes from other sources such as. A student tuition fees other sources like that we and we we did this year we're anticipating approximately 66 million dollars in state dollars. And that's down from 75 million. And and with respect to the student tuition we're expecting somewhere between 5556. Million and then. What people fail to remember is all the other dollars that we bring in with grants philanthropy this type of thing. We expect her total budget will be about 230 million dollars so that I'm doing my math there and I'm not very good -- about a quarter of that comes boosting it yes it when you look at the full -- full budget the budget and and to be honest this is smaller percentage K and K state. I never heard some rigorous on news story of the -- were moved from some university state university was thinking about maybe just. Tell a mistake to go fly a kite will just do it ourselves well that was maybe a mistaken well I know there have been talking and there's been talk and other states about privatizing. The public institutions. Steve I am I'm disappointed that we don't have what we did have but I sure do appreciate 66 million and we wanna make the best you shove it. As we try to -- satisfied very special group of people south central Kansas. What impact new these villages -- have on the quality of education offered at which prosecutors. And so far it -- causes us to continue to redefine. How to deliver classes how to deliver courses. Do we do more online activity do we deal with labs. We're still a campus where students and a common use the campus. Some universities have gone more to online instruction. And we have online instructional also but some of those students are on campus. And so. From from our perspective. And we have a critical part at the providing quality education and we will cut classes rather than cut quality. You're in a situation that defund it might make an observation in the private business world as if the wolf of recession comes knocking on the door. We start put an earthquake in castle looking for ways to. To keep doing what we do the best we -- you do the same thing in public education or does the same thing in public education and I think. Then the advantage we have the Wichita State is we're not expected via comprehensive institution. We're very much of the fine institution in terms of five professional schools and college of liberal arts -- sciences. And there're there are some majors that we don't deliver some of them are expensive majors others health professions those are expensive to deliver. Because of the standards that you and I expect of a person's gonna be helping us with health -- we expect him to be prepared. We're gonna demand that we do that. Likely an advanced education in general dentistry that's an expensive program that that's needed in -- area because of the age of people in the industry professional -- is that I'm not seeing wind that's more expensive to do our part because -- you're a student she had you can only has so many students per class -- a lot of individual instruction. On standards in health professions. There's a limited number of students per faculty ratio that's less than in most other disciplines. And -- did the sidebar on that for a little bit to does not know that that health professions part of the university is something that. You've been concentrating on for the past few years sit -- and you know you're bitter you turn out more students now I'm for you to reroute -- students we know there are you get yes we are -- let's take nourishing lives are -- an accelerated nursing program. Where students can complete the program and fifteen minutes for than 24 to more expensive program for the student. Student works holidays weekends. Through regular part of their how they deal with their practical experiences their internship experiences. That program. We are working with the university Kansas Wichita med school. And David Wilson the dean there we are working together to jointly. Provide for your education experience for people. In the medical profession admitted to medical school. And that's one of his goals can use reached out to us we've reached out to KU. Join appointments of faculty this type of thing. And we know in in K you of the people who do either of their preparation programs in Wichita higher percentage in Kansas. Much is there -- new facility that near Houston complex. That's yes that's -- the general dentistry as a general education general dentistry. That's a building right now how we're using -- another facility in the community. For training of individuals these are people who are dentist. But believe they need to have more experience with respect to. Root canals. Other things like as a matter of fact and this has been in the works for seven years Steve that's what people. They see it come up and ethical this is something new -- we've been leading to this point for seven years in this have been the hardest fund raising them ever done in my life my. I think the economy is okay. You know it when. We look at the economy and you look at the need and health professions and you in you limited to particular area. And in the state of Kansas most of our state buildings. A predominantly. A funded through fundraising. In the remain a part of student fees -- that particular building their social agency. What impact is a recession having on students and parents ability to finance a college education. Not that I think your prices are going up the they -- up a little guy you know we are business and a business costs. I want our constant costs. In the insurance or anyone at 12% this year we've been told planned for 15% next year. And so and and with that it will assist support from the state and being stable it vast. And then we either passing costs on -- we take a cut. And to be honest to culmination the two latter that you that we do. In terms of funding and support. And philanthropy the foundation activity. We've had some wonderful guests coming in in the last couple of years been really helped us and an example would be in the preparation of math and science teachers. And we had a gift from a family and that we knew was coming but we didn't know win. -- which right now would fund the junior and senior year of every major we have. In math and science to us to go into the teaching profession well that's good so so you know you have those little pockets. But for individuals through are not an arena. Yeah you can see you see an increase with respect to cost. The funding programs -- that are provided the federal government. We encourage all students to fill out those -- of those applications. And and we find out what they're eligible foreign grants and then we find out what they're eligible for -- in loans and in. There still are students even though they're full time students are working. And we have an opportunity here in south central Kansas and which where Wichita on -- county. What do you I -- over the past couple of years of them. You don't just send somebody -- to -- Over the past couple years how does that relationship -- forest it's very professional. When individuals don't agree. You can they did they will listen. That's a real advantage in Kansas in terms of our jobs. We deal directly with the elected officials and not with staff in larger states in that the federal level you deal with staff. And for us we have direct discussions and in individuals want to support us. But they also look at what are the costs and the priority -- nation. From my perspective I can't ask more of people talking to me I can ask for a few more approach that there. But they're dead there's extraordinary pressure on elected individuals in and I'm treated with respect I treat them with respect. We're listening to issues Tony -- on the -- radio stations and against Newsweek is Wichita State University president. Doctor Don Briggs talk about what's happening mum on the campus what kind of year did you have an athletics this past year. We had a good year with a tremendous amount of promise for this coming year.
When you look at what's happened to us. With respect to our volleyball tournament in women's basketball. Baseball and softball. We've got such an expectation in baseball that we will always go always win always win forty games. We had a year where where we. Didn't do what what we wanted to do in typically do. We have to union producing everywhere they which they could to coaching was doing everything he can't. In in baseball there's there's a little a lot of competition but I like what I see. Our fans responded to our facility with the indoor facility -- ignoring that went well. Men's basketball the excitement. Having -- student graduate. And bringing in other students should it's exciting when we're going to be the collar team on the floor for a change going to be to -- we're going to be big and and we have a coach that -- is committed to excellence. As promised me. A range. Okay. A belt and every time Matt doing his office and there's a picture of his five brings you know us from my standpoint participation in the NCAA is an important part I think you put a lot of pressure on him Iraq and he puts it on Michelle. And I try to say we understand it takes time to get there we think we're there this year and and volleyball just look at what's happened to young people in this area in a volleyball in the past decade with the lambs series finish -- coach land. I and Shannon and his wife they just. Have put together a wonderful program Gerry Adams -- women's program we're gonna be an athletic team in women's basketball this year. Which is important she's brought in very capable. Young women. And I she's developed from a long. And it will be fun to see our student tune in women's basketball don't this year the do you you've mentioned the high profile but you can't -- your track program. Our laid out my track program I I do the same thing that others do. As Steve Rambo -- in addition to track is helping a lot of this stuff physically in terms of action -- The response says his program has been extraordinary. What I like is how many Kansas. Residents are part of this program. And they come in with expectations that come -- with talent and he and his team of of coaches really do a nice job of putting it together. Well we've seen some improvement today stadium for baseball. I drive by there every single day and a C I see -- break room building tell us about that. Trying to -- on the street. I was reading this thing you know that that's -- door behind -- pretty. Hevesi indoor practice facility and -- five day you know when living space five hey let's face I'd say -- I just good. And I finished her report British -- that. And there's another potential win win. Philanthropy has more possibility that. We have an indoor facility is confident -- but it is a show others what's really important. Is Manning is placed in the top so they can take full hitting practice there. And and the coach expects. Athletes outside. It's a game -- to be played with that kind of weather but the when the weather is such that he can't be played outside he. He supports practice inside and in camps since coming in for camps. That's also used for softball. And our coaching softball shared with me that is the Indian side is an. I think about thirty feet less than the total size of this the softball field. Well he's really pleased with what he does there in -- since also get to use that an indoor facility for some -- activities was a paid for. Totally stunned -- in terms of philanthropy there -- no state dollars and as a reminder. Move the other afternoon I was thinking you know this look at -- and this has gotta be could be at least a very good recruitment tool. It is a recruitment tool for two reasons it's good for the athletic program and it's good for individuals who coming scenic campus. Because when you look at the -- the general student population. One of the things people look at is what -- so least you have almost equality of the facilities. Obviously look at this for their academic programs first and we have those programs and they start to make differentiate should. That's why as the students this year and voted to use to remodel the student center. Between the student senator -- facilities. And and and and the overall appearance of your campus which we've worked hard on here my predecessor she started working hard. And when I came -- thought it was very nice campus and I think that. The people who work on our campus are so committed to quality than. They go beyond new job descriptions all Tulsa little bit about -- stadium a lot of people and -- look eventually well there's there's just big empty shell would soon and it's -- waste -- space but it put to good uses it got our track program of course is in there. But then as I indicated Steve frame -- his morning program fracture size we see a lot of public Sarah. Matter fact athletic director and I have to talk about how -- we keep security with respect to this failed in terms of keeping it open. And keeping -- management type activity with respect to that facility. We are bringing in. Wait a US program and athletics next summer I'm sorry I can't remember the name. That is basically for young people and track. And more brain -- thousands of people to Wichita. Because we have -- stadium and in fact were resurfacing the track right now. And when we had The Rolling Stones here in the remember they delta. A five story building there and there was some puncture marks with respect to detract. Well and they've been they've provided the funds for a so so we're getting that ready. And then then we have a local high school games that are played and in the facility. And and although the the size of the facility's largest killer the state track -- that comes here is it brings a wealth of people and his wonderful for us for recruitment purposes my mind of the month for my own perspective they would kick turned out to be great place to watch The Rolling Stones. An October evening well I. And I I was not aware of -- the -- down the center of the field and only took part of the stage. And took it to those who were sitting in the back. That had to be one of the most buyers of new experiences that I've ever seen for an audience it runs and there's an example where this city and they can only work with us on transportation parking. The public schools helped us with respect to parking areas bush transportation. That's an example when we come together which is what we are supposed to do which -- only come together with people here in this community we can bring in top draw. I was in the receipts and I know within about here that wall of Mick Jagger. Yes I. When he should still yeah. It hadn't done that it was an exciting thing for all of us who were there I was singing right wrong -- jumping Jack flash well I was mounting. My wife said we actually like it's stupid Internet for the -- percent -- but tell us about the research programs -- Wichita State. RC research programs continue to grow and and and have won that one of the segments of of defining growth is. Is the amount of dollars brought in with researching grant activity and we top fifty million this past year. In terms of researching grant activities we have other research activities going on that is not. And heavily funded externally. But as important as in the professions and again it's very focused research. But. Who obviously the aviation industry the FAA. The work we do share the work we coordinate with which to Larry technical college. All of that is important taking research to practice. That's what Wichita State is about. And when we look at our research activity you know working with us via Christi and in the nation are on bio materials. That's been started here with the Kansas bioscience authority. That's suspend off to a company that we hope will use composite businesses just in Kansas there's 77 businesses that. Then to make and use composites. Who do you realize what really -- just if -- their layers. Of black -- you and I would just talk about manage. Now particles -- and when they put them together that's literally what we have is is we have like -- We have a a composite that bone can grow into because it's porous. That's a part of what we're doing in terms of if if you use sent. As some prostheses. He just grinds down the home and doctors should know that. You need bone growth in composites that when people look at an airplane they don't realize how porous that is. And but it then like presenting an airplane and one of the things we have to do is -- Won't when it's punctured how do you repair a composite. We've learned how to do that we've learned how to maintain the strength. And we share that with the students in which very technical college and with the industry in terms of what they're doing. That's what we're doing in research there's a bit unique. Then you -- that's exciting it is. Precise time to be a part of it in any people like you and I can understand the general principles. -- these things -- free general principle you are correct. And what did what kind of enrollment numbers you think you see this for all the inept as 75000 or 2171000. Or. Or no I -- Chris and I think I think will be in will be over 145. In terms of headcount I'm thinking credit hours we will continue to have more credit hours produced with front and in -- 140000. Usually we saw. There's some people are out of out of dorm living space wash -- I think wanna maybe you can statement do you have that problem which does it Kazaa and you don't have we -- very. This yes. And and we use the area. We have other private enterprises that are there and and the depending on the day we may it be at full capacity here we may we may have people moving in and out that. We we work with the individuals at the very beginning in terms of meal plans in this type of thing. As some the other institutions have who have moved to two person brooms to one this type of thing. And then. We have Wichita. And of the population area and people can save money by staying home. No they usually union trust your Wichita State I'm in my twelve European SS have you any plans to retire. You have to remember I was retired running -- that's right you've already been rich and so some people think I'm still retired good. I still enjoy the work. What I have to -- is am I making decisions for Wichita State. For the betterment institution or to get to stay. And that's a real issue that I always have to consider thanks for your time and it's always fun. You thank you figuring this against Wichita State University president doctor Don Briggs and that's all for this edition of issues -- tend. We'll be back next week thank you for listening I'm Steve Macintosh.
