University Business - March 2008 - (Page 16)

BEHIND the NEWS P E O P L E W AT C H U Territory Tiff: UMass Donor Databases THE IDEA SEEMED STRAIGHTFORWARD. CONSOLIDATE THE DONOR databases for the five University of Massachusetts system campuses, thus providing improved software and database tools and a potential savings of $840,000. “It’s a best practice approach, with safeguards for the campuses to have access to their own information,” explains Robert Connolly, VP for communications. But in published reports, the Amherst Alumni Association, which is independent of the UMass system, resisted sharing its membership list because of privacy and fundraising concerns. This issue doesn’t arise often because not many alumni associations are independent, explains Rae Goldsmith, VP for communications at the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. “The real question is, ‘Does the nonpublic entity have to share information with the public entity?’ ” The answer is dictated by open records laws in each state. But it didn’t come to a legal dispute in Massachusetts. After some haggling, it was agreed that a dual system would be developed, with the information from the Boston, Dartmouth, Lowell, and Worcester campuses in one section and that from Amherst in another. “Each campus is in charge of its own fundraising and that won’t change,” says Connolly. “It was just a matter of providing a better database.” He adds that the consolidated database is in line with an ongoing effort to improve services and affect cost savings by taking a common approach on various items, such as IT and legal services. “There’s been a move to go forward in a joint manner, but respecting autonomy.” —Ann McClure Familiar Face to Lead TSU JOHN M. RUDLEY IS A FAMILIAR face at Texas Southern University, having begun his higher ed career there as an internal auditor before becoming vice president of fiscal affairs in 1984. Last month, he was named its 11th president. Along with his financial expertise and leadership experience, Rudley offers reassurance for the historically black institution, which is still shaken from a financial debacle. Former president Priscilla Slade was fired in June 2006 after an internal audit determined she had spent nearly $650,000 in school funds on personal luxuries. Slade was prosecuted for two felony counts of misapplication of fiduciary property over $200,000. Last October, a mistrial was declared after the jury deadlocked. Three other TSU officials were also indicted, and a former chief financial ofRudley ficer was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Due to TSU’s financial state, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools placed it on probation. In a media release, Rudley noted his vision is to have TSU claim a rightful place in Texas higher education. “This is where I belong,” he adds. “I am home now, and together we will move forward.” Board Chair Glenn Lewis acknowledged Rudley’s credentials, saying his “experience and demonstrated financial management success are exactly what this university needs.” Rudley was most recently acting in the interim dual position of system chancellor and president at the University of Houston System. He was also VP for business and finance for the Tennessee Board of Regents and served as a senior technical advisor with the U.S. Department of Education. —Michele Herrmann Funding Student Athletes SOME SPORTS PROGRAMS ARE BIG BUSINESS, GENERATING ATTENTION AND MILLIONS OF dollars for their respective higher ed institutions, but some student athletes still have unmet financial need. A class action lawsuit filed in 2006 sought the restoration of funds for incidental expenses, such as travel and phone bills. Although scholarships covering the full cost of tuition, room, and board are frequently available, a shortfall can occur when the total cost of attending college is considered. Pell Grants are also an option, and eligibility is one consideration for access to assistance funds the NCAA maintains. Preliminary approval of a settlement in the lawsuit was obtained on February 4. “Student athletes will have greater flexibility to access funds,” explains NCAA spokesman Bob Williams. The Special Assistance and Academic Enhancement funds, totaling $218 million, were created in the 1990s and earmarked for specific uses. Through 2012-2013 the funds will be accessible under the guidelines for the Student-Athlete Opportunity Fund, which has a wider variety of applications. The fund money is from an NCAA agreement with CBS and ESPN that expires in 2012-2013. The settlement also creates a $10 million fund to assist former Division I student athletes who were members of the class action suit. Class members will be able to apply for reimbursement for educational expenses such as degree completion. Other terms include a new rule allowing Division I institutions to provide year-round health insurance and permission for Division I institutions to provide basic accident coverage for injuries stemming from participation in athletics. Williams says IHEs will see a minimal business impact from the ruling. Class members will have until May 23 to review the settlement, with a hearing for final approval scheduled for June 30. —A.M. 16 | March 2008 universitybusiness.com http://universitybusiness.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of University Business - March 2008

University Business - March 2008
Contents
College Index
Company Index
Advisory Board
Editor's Note
Stats Watch
Sense of Place
Viewpoint
EduComm Insert
Financial Aid
Money Matters
Human Resources
Higher One Insert
Community College
Cadets on Campus
Keeping an Eye on the Network
Sizing Up Second Life
Endowment Management
What's New
Calendar of Events
End Note

University Business - March 2008