A Glimmer of Hope: Responses from Manning and Gebert

I got e-mail responses from Chancellor Manning and VP & Provost Gebert! I suppose two out of 29 isn't bad for a start. I will be updating this site hopefully tonight or tomorrow. Manning mentioned teaching philosophy with political science, which I read in the report and thought was kind of a weird suggestion, but I guess it's better that oblitterating it altogether. He also attached a letter he sent to the presidents and directors yesterday concerning budget cuts.

Here is Manning's response:

Dear Ms. Caldwell,

Thank you for your e-mail of March 9.

As you know, the campus process MTSU is going through in considering how to cut the budget is comprehensive, inclusive and transparent. The process is continuing as President McPhee considers the committee’s recommendations and continues discussions with students, faculty, staff and other stakeholders. I am passing your letter along to him for his consideration, and I am confident that the campus will come to the right conclusions about how to manage with a significantly smaller state appropriation.

Should Dr. McPhee decide to eliminate the philosophy major or the department, that would not mean students would no longer study philosophy. Indeed, to quote the report:

Philosophy courses needed for General Education or for other priority reasons could be taught as part of the Political Science department (page 10 of the report, available at www.mtsu.edu).

With the help of the campus and other concerned individuals, Dr. McPhee must come up with a plan to manage the university with substantially fewer financial resources in years to come. This clearly is not a pleasant task, but it is one that must be done. The attached memo lays out the situation clearly, and I hope you will read it, then share your best thoughts on how to make the necessary budget cuts at MTSU with Dr. McPhee.

Sincerely,

Charles W. Manning
Chancellor
Tennessee Board of Regents

And here is Gebert's response:

Dear Ms. Caldwell,

Thank you for the copy of your email. No final decisions have been made, and we will take your comments into consideration.

Best Wishes,
Kaylene Gebert

They responded to me; they should respond to you, too.