During difficult economic times many companies and individuals are forced to reevaluate where their funds are being directed.

The same is true for Ferris State University as it looks ahead to face the coming year of cuts in state funding coupled with higher inflation rates. Ferris’s annual operating funds are allocated to four main areas of which the general fund is the largest.

This fund contains money that is used for academic support and instruction, financial aid and student services totaling $167 million for 2009. The money for this fund will be comprised of 69 percent from student tuition and 29 percent from the state. In contrast to 1980, the figures were the opposite; the general fund received 69 percent of its funding from the state and only 29 percent from the students.

The times have changed and that change has not favored the financial prosperity of the state, FSU or the general populous. The signs of the times can also be seen in that in only eight short years ago FSU received $6,100 per student from the state and today they receive only $4,300.

With a total operating budget of over $200 million, one would wonder how all of that money is being spent. One of the goals of the university’s new master plan is more transparency in the budget, and steps were taken to achieve this by holding a question and answer luncheon late last week. FSU President David Eilser presented the financial outlook for the coming year and urged all the faculty and staff in attendance to offer suggestions on ways to cut spending.

Eilser said, “it is no secret that these are tough times for everyone and although the state offers a wealth of words it falls to the university to do its part to reduce spending wherever possible.” In anticipation of the funding cuts, over the past year president Eilser has asked all of the vice presidents to retain one percent of this year’s budget allocations for their departments.

Throughout the course of the luncheon one central idea presented itself over and over again. It is Eilser’s initiative that the budget deficit will not fall entirely on the students. Eisler said, “the students make up the majority of the general fund’s operation revenue and if we discourage them from staying or coming as students we are only making things worse for Ferris. The numbers are simple. 105 full time students represents $1 million in revenue.”

Eisler said students can anticipate an increase in tuition comparable to the past few years, which he estimates will be around five percent. Much less than other universities such as Michigan State who had a mid-semester tuition increase already this year.

Another point that Eisler was very clear on was that although the tuition freeze sounds appealing right now, it will only make things worse for students in the coming years. Eisler said, “A tuition freeze is a terrible idea. If Ferris was to freeze our tuition even for one year, along with the other budget cuts that would lead to a double digit tuition increase in coming years.”

He also said, “the one thing that we will never do is compromise a student’s learning because of financial struggles.”

Eisler added that with every increase in the cost of attendance, the university will also increase the amount of financial aid available to students.

Anyone who wishes to view the presentation and statement made by President Eisler at the luncheon can visit the President’s Office Web page at ferris.edu. The powerpoint is located under the presentations/speeches tab.

New technologies coming to Ferris seek to benefit both students and faculty.

A technology user’s forum was held Feb. 12 to introduce and reiterate enhancements to existing technologies and software. Classroom Performance System (CPS), Tegrity Campus 2.0, live chat and an upgrade to Lotus Notes are the new technologies on campus.

CPS, also known as the “clicker” to students and faculty, has been on campus for several semesters. Typically used in lecture hall classrooms, CPS has had an impact on how professors and students interact. Professors can integrate questions into Power Point and BlackBoard presentation lectures. Students then answer questions through the CPS device, and can participate at anytime anonymously.

Both instructors and students can view and assess the answers of the entire class. According to Jody Gardei, Technology Services Coordinator, CPS makes learning fun and increases class participation. Students get to see how the rest of the class is doing; likewise, instructors can gauge how many students know the material. CPS can be used in any classroom form and can answer verbal response questions.

Tegrity Campus 2.0 is a campus- wide classroom capture web service program. Tegrity allows instructors to record audio and video and upload materials through Ferris Connect. Currently in the pilot stage, Tegrity enables students to revisit class sessions to better understand materials and lesson plans.

Tegrity could also enhance online classes. Computer Technology Services hopes to introduce the program to campus during the Fall 2009 semester. Instructors can receive additional information from Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning (FCTL) and Technology Assistance Center (TAC). Tegrity training sessions are scheduled for March 11, 25, April 8 and 25.

In addition to helping the campus with technology questions over the phone, TAC also has a LivePerson Chat to help give more immediate assistance. The Live Chat was established over the summer 2008 semester, and has received great reviews from students during the fall semester, especially for the Gmail switch. Students can chat with a TAC support operator directly Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Although TAC support can address most technology problems with live chat, they cannot reset passwords.

Lotus Notes, the campus wide e-mail system for faculty, staff and administration will be upgrading from Lotus Notes seven, to Lotus Notes eight. The upgrade is expected to occur summer 2009.

Easy thread viewing, Microsoft Office 2007 accessiblity, better calendar interface and the ability to share contacts are some of the new features. Lotus Notes eight can also sync with the iPhone and some smart phones. Version eight is more compatible with Gmail, the new student email, and will help instructors stay better connected to students.

Technology services will host another Technology Users forum during April that will further demonstrate the capabilities of the new technologies. Faculty members are encouraged to attend FCTL walk-in sessions Mondays from noon to 1 p.m. and Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Kalamazoo High School graduate Fritz Erickson is returning after many years to his old stomping grounds in Michigan to take a position at Ferris. Erickson was recently appointed by President David Eisler to the role of provost and vice president for academic affairs.

In Erickson’s words, his role will be to oversee and ensure that all academic ventures are a success. Further, he will help faculty and staff become better equipped to serve the needs of the students. Erickson said, “I have the best job on campus and that is to help provide the best education possible to all Ferris students.”

Some of Erickson’s goals for his time in leadership will be to accurately assess the learning that takes place by students. He will begin to gather information from faculty, students, staff and administration that will help to determine how Ferris’ resources can be best utilized.

Another of his goals is to build on the potential Ferris has to create a useful and educated workforce for the state and nation. He will begin to work with the individual colleges to help optimize the education that students in those programs receive.

Erickson steps into the position on July 1 and has a number of qualifications and the work experience that Eisler believes will make him successful in the new position.

Erickson started out his college career at Central Michigan University and decided after a year that he really didn’t know what he wanted to do with his life.

After a break he resumed his education at Western Michigan University and earned a degree in education. Over the course of the next 25 years he moved around the country while earning his doctorate and teaching at various universities. He took numerous deanship positions on the west coast and throughout the country the latest of which is the dean of the College of Professional and Graduate Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, where he has been for six years.

When Erickson isn’t working he enjoys spending his time at his son and daughter’s high school sporting events. Erickson’s daughter is a senior in high school running cross country and track in addition to being one of only a few female varsity wrestlers. Erickson’s son is a junior in high school and is an avid golfer, which he picked up at the age of two from his father. His son is considering remaining in Wisconsin to finish his senior year but is then looking into joining the professional golf management program at Ferris.

Erickson also has a passion for blues music and playing the electric guitar. In addition, he enjoys photographing people. His family often pokes fun at him for listening to podcasts and boring radio programs on photography.

Erickson has a number of family members in the area and is looking forward to coming back home. He said, “my wife and I are Midwest people and we have lived enough places to know, there is no place like home. It has taken us 29 years but we are finally going home.”

Erickson is a part of a number of volunteer projects in Wisconsin. He has been working for many years to help Americans and Middle Easterners be able to better relate to each other. He has made a number of trips to Jordan and Pakistan and has always been impressed by how friendly the individuals are. Erickson has hopes to continue and form similar projects at Ferris.

Some like it hot and some like it cold. Regardless of how you like it, Ferris needs to continue efforts to boost geothermal energy solutions at the Big Rapids campus.

Geothermal heating and cooling is a process by which water is pumped into the ground where temperatures are more stable. Utilizing the natural transference of heat between the water in the pipes and the soil, building temperatures are able to be maintained and the amount of energy required to do so is greatly decreased.

For example, on a hot summer day in Big Rapids the classrooms can reach a devastatingly uncomfortable temperature. Professors conducting summer courses have ended class early as beads of sweat drip from their pupils’ noses, simply because running air conditioning units is not cost effective for the drastically smaller summer student body.

But with a geothermal cooling system, water is piped through the ground where it is cooled to around 55 degrees Fahrenheit before returning to the air conditioning system, where a series of expansion and compression chambers and technical cooling science gives us cold air. In doing so, the amount of energy needed to cool the water which is then used to cool the air is greatly decreased. This makes classes more comfortable, at least temperature-wise, for the inhabitants and at a lower cost than the current system.

A similar process can be used to heat buildings because it takes less energy to increase the indoor temperature from 55 degrees to a more comfortable 68 degrees than to pull in air from the outside that is likely to be significantly colder. “Some supplemental heating may still be needed though, considering the extreme cold Big Rapids experiences,” said Ferris State University Plant Engineer Dan Sovinski.

Ferris already employs a Geothermal cooling system on a somewhat smaller scale to cool the Granger Center for Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR). Mike Feutz, an HVAC professor, said the water is pumped 205 feet below the parking lot adjacent to the building in plastic piping and then returned to serve its purpose. “A model of this same system is used for all HVAC students as part of their Air Conditioning curriculum,” said Feutz.

What we are talking about here is a way to keep buildings at a comfortable temperature using less energy to do so and thereby decreasing cost. “In some cases operation cost can decrease by as much 50 percent,” said Mike Lafferty, a former Ferris HVACR professor and current manager of the Roben Hood airport in Big Rapids, Mich., where a geothermal system is currently being used to heat a hangar with the manifold just a foot beneath the ground.

Sadly, a consideration of this magnitude would likely cost the university a fair chunk of change upfront causing an issue with the university’s image. The Board of Trustees will have a tough time signing off on a potentially multi-million dollar project when Michigan’s economy is in such a sharp decline, and upholding their image of putting students first if tuition were to be hiked after a confirmation of the geothermal transitions commencement.

Associate Vice President of Ferris' Physical Plant Mike Hughes, the pointman on this project, was not available for comment as of presstime.

But structures as large as entire military bases use geothermal cooling. Using this at Ferris wouldn’t be breaking the mold and would further demonstrate the university’s dedication to finding new ways to conserve financial resources while simultaneously benefiting students and faculty.

There’s no need to get hot and bothered. A simple solution, in this case implementing an energy efficient, environmentally safe, money saving, long-term, quality geothermal system would provide lasting benefits and maybe, just maybe, make going to class a little bit more bearable.

Middle Eastern Potluck
On Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. in FLITE 438 there will be a potluck featuring Middle Eastern dishes. Those who attend are asked to bring a dish to pass of their choosing. For more information contact Shana Beisiegel at x2824.

Spotlight on Theatre: The United States
On Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. in IRC 120 come and enjoy an exciting crash course of uniquely American theatre in the United States from 1915 to today. The presentation will feature groundbreaking Pulitzer Prize winning playwrights, The Federal Theatre Project, African-American Theatre, The Musical and today’s Theatre of Diversity. For more information contact Bruce Dilg at x8265.

Entertainment Unlimited Presents Doug Lansky “Get Lost”
On Thursday, Feb. 26 from 7 to 9 p.m. in Williams Auditorium Entertainment Unlimited is presenting lecturer Doug Lansky. Lansky has interned at “Late Night with David Letterman,” “Spy Magazine,” and “The New Yorker Magazine.” There is no cost to attend this event. For more information contact Jalena Strayer at x2610.

National Eating Disorder Screening Day
On Thursday, Feb. 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Rankin Student Center Atrium the University Counseling Center counselors will be providing confidential eating disorder screenings. Students and others can also complete an eating disorder screening on-line through the FSU Counseling Center Web site at the Mental Health Screening. For more information contact Nancy Sage at x5968.

19th Annual YBBW Fashion Show - “Timeless Beauty”
On Friday, Feb. 27 from 7 to 9 p.m. in Williams Auditorium there will be a fashion show presentation. This event is free and open to the public. For more information contact Andrea Beck-Jones x2617.

Walk for Warmth
On Saturday, Feb. 28 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Student Recreation Center the Walk for Warmth will be conducted. Walk for Warmth raises money to help local residents pay their utility bills during the cold winter months. There will be a pizza party to the RSO which raises the most money for this worthy cause. Stop by Rankin 164 to pick up a pledge packet. For more information contact Kevin Walsh at x2140.

FSU Jazz Band and Choir Concert
On Tuesday, March 3 at 8 p.m. in the Rankin Center Dome Room the FSU Jazz Band and Choir will present their concert. This event is free and open to the public. For more information contact Dr. Cate Arroe at x2070.

Entertainment Unlimited Presents Comedians ‘Show Off Show’ and ‘Michael Kent’
On Tuesday, March 3 from 7 to 9 p.m. in Williams Auditorium there will be a comedy show that will showcase standup comedy, circus style stunts, and pranks. This event is free and open for all to attend. For more information contact Jalena Strayer at x2610.

Funny Scent in Travis Hall
On Feb. 16 at 2:38 officers were called to Travis Hall for the smell of marijuana. Investigation revealed subject was using the marijuana.

Lock Your Room Doors
On Feb. 17 at 3:32 p.m., a subject contacted the Department of Public Safety in reference of larceny of items from her room. Suspect was identified and referred to the Office of Student Conduct.

Stolen School Supplies
On Feb. 18 at 12:30 p.m., officers dispatched to the Arts & Science Commons building on a larceny complaint. A professor advised that school supplies were stolen.

Lock Your Vehicles
On Feb. 18 at 10:30 p.m., a subject reported items stolen from his vehicle at Bond Circle. No suspects.

Hit and Run in Lot 16
On Feb. 14 at 8 p.m., there was a hit and run accident in Lot 16. No suspects.

Traffic Stop
On Feb. 15 at 12:48 a.m., there was a traffic stop on a vehicle on Knollview Drive. There was a marijuana paraphernalia. Subject was reported to the Office of Student Conduct.

Vehicle Damage in Lot 4
On Feb. 13 at 2 p.m., officers were called to Miller Hall. A victim’s side view mirrors were hanging off of her car in Lot 4. No suspects.

Traffic Stop on VDay
On Feb. 14 at 10:54 there was a traffic stop on State Street. Investigation revealed a small amount of marijuana. The student was referred to the Office of Student Conduct.

Hit and Run in Lot 10
On Feb. 13 at 4:30 p.m., there was a hit and run complaint in Lot 10. No suspects.

Broken Headlights
On Feb. 12 at 7:35 p.m., there was a Malicious Destruction of Property complaint in Lot 4. The subjects headlight covers were broken. No suspects.

Female Unconscious
On Feb. 12 at 11:23, officers dispatched to Cramer Hall to an unconscious female. EMS arrived and transported subject to the Mecosta County Medical Center.

Jail time on V-Day
On Feb. 13 at 4: 08 a.m., there was a traffic stop at on Warren Street. Subject was driving while intoxicated and was lodged in the county jail for OWI.

Ticket Totals:
From Feb. 12 to the 19 public safety identified 389 violators. Each violator was ticketed for a total of $6,840. Actual amount depends on whether the ticket was paid, voided, or reduced.