DSU的第9任校长，Dr. 丹。埃尼斯克利夫兰小姐.， 2023年10月17日 With Delta State University facing enrollment and budget challenges, 总统 Dr. 丹。埃尼斯 convened a series of meetings to address faculty, 工作人员, 学生和区域利益相关者.
在校园论坛上, 埃尼斯说, “There are good things Delta State can and will do to increase our appeal to students. 但在某一点上, it must be acknowledged that the institution’s DNA, 这很有风气, was built around giving educational opportunities to the people from the Delta. And there are just less people in the Delta. The goal is to get Delta State to the point where we have a sustainable future.”
Ennis emphasized his determination to increase revenue by aggressively seeking greater state and federal allocations, by finding new revenue streams through licensing and partnerships, and by doubling the recently announced Centennial Capital Campaign from $50 million to $100 million.
“We have programs that matter to our federal legislators and our state legislators,” he said. “我们有一个可以讲述的故事.”
Ennis met in September with the Board of Trustees of Mississippi’s Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) and apprised them of the current financial situation at DSU. 在那次会议上, he told trustees that he likely won’t be able to reduce the university’s previous budget of $51 million to a $40 million budget based on actual revenues.
在国际人道法会议之后, Ennis scheduled a town hall meeting with DSU faculty and 工作人员 on September 28 and said, “I thought it fair and appropriate to give you the same information that I gave to IHL.” He outlined the severity of the budget challenges that the university faces, and assured the faculty and 工作人员 that he sees a path forward, but that it is going to be unpleasant.
他说, “我很抱歉告诉你这个消息, but I think it’s important that everybody know our financial position right now.”
While members of the faculty and 工作人员 were hoping for better news, several people shared their appreciation for Ennis’ transparency in sharing the raw details with the campus. 教务院院长. 克里斯托弗·T. 尤尔根森说:“约翰博士. Ennis didn’t pull any punches when describing the challenges DSU is facing. 然而, I’m glad he’s tackling these issues head on and has begun a plan to ‘right the ship’ in order to move this university towards growth and sustainability. 我们需要所有人齐心协力,’ and part of my job is to encourage the faculty to do their best to make positive change at DSU a reality.”
Ennis then distributed an email to faculty and 工作人员 on October 2, 2023, outlining the immediate measures that would begin addressing DSU’s finances, including the creation of an Ad Hoc Committee on Budget Sustainability to advise the university administration. Composed of constituents from across campus, the committee is tasked with identifying strategies to reduce the university’s budget by another $5.500万美元(另外还有400万美元).4 million cut which took place earlier this year), and to identify sources of funds to support DSU’s growing programs appropriately, while adjusting to the university’s enrollment and financial realities. The committee convened for its first meeting today and will continue to operate during the next 9-12 months, advising the president and cabinet on ways the university can meet the fiscal challenges while protecting the student experience.
Ennis also met with local community leaders today to apprise them of Delta State’s fiscal situation. “Delta State has an economic impact of $175 million on the Delta region, and so the fiscal challenges we are facing will likely impact the community as well as the university,埃尼斯说. “Times will be tough — but the core mission of Delta State will be protected. 我们对个人关注的关注, faculty and 工作人员 who care about the whole student, graduates who are sought after because of Delta State’s reputation in the classroom, a campus filled with excitement and activity, and a university that is committed to this community and region – these essentials won’t change.”
Ennis concluded his comments by stating, “Delta State and the Delta region depend on one another, and I ask for your support and patience as we make tough decisions. 然而, I promise to do everything I can to guide DSU, 和这个社区一起, 可持续发展的未来.”
