Thursday, October 8, 2009
www.msureporter.com
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Giving a reason to retire New program to offer incentives for staff who choose early retirement NICOLE SMITH
editor in chief
The administration is planning for what is projected to be a grim budget deficit for the 2012 fiscal year — a potential reduction range of $6 to $11 million in state appropriation to Minnesota State. “With a reduction of this magnitude, it could mean that we would need to eliminate 60 to 100 faculty/staff positions,” Pres. Davenport wrote in an
email to all faculty and staff on Sept. 23. In an effort to get out ahead in this financial situation, MSU has instituted the Board Early Separation Incentive (BESI), a discretionary program to give incentives to faculty and staff who meet the eligibility requirements for early retirement. Although retirement agreements through the program would go into effect at the end of spring 2010, the savings for
these would not be seen until 2012, the year of the impending deficit. “BESI is primarily to see how many people take advantage of the incentives and what effects that would have on future staffing plans,” Vice President of Finance and Administration Rick Straka said. To get a clearer vision of what MSU’s future financial situation looks like, the administration will have
By the numbers: •
$6 - $11 million reduction range estimated in state appropriation to MSU in 2012 • $4 - $7 billion deficit projected for Minnesota state budget in 2012 • 60 - 100 MSU faculty and staff positions could be cut due to deficit to evaluate the results of the program. According to the BESI criteria, there are three categories of incentives that depend on whether or not administration plans to replace positions. Depending on the status of each individual’s position, a certain percentage
of salary will be negotiated for retirement. Those who fall under category A are members of departments and programs who could see future cuts. These faculty members could be eligible for up to 100 percent of their base salary if their
Reason / page 2
Climbing its way to the top
Toppers named Minnesota State’s official pizza provider LAUREN MEYER
staff writer
After only two years of operation, Toppers pizza is now the official pizza provider of Minnesota State athletics this year, knocking out Papa John’s, who had been on MSU’s campus for six years. The contract between MSU and Toppers started August 2009 and ends July 2010. “Toppers Pizza won the bid against the fierce competition this year for more than just their tasty pizza,” said Kristen Healey, the account executive of Toppers Pizza. Toppers has been closely involved with athletic events on campus, including men’s and women’s
basketball, football and volleyball. It also employs more than 40 MSU students and offers a wide variety of flexible hours for students. “Since we opened in 2007, we have built and maintained a great relationship with MSU,” said Toppers owners Paul and Sue Wilke. “The reason we were selected is because of our intense and passionate involvement in the athletic programs.” Paul and Sue Wilke have lived in Mankato for close to 30 years and, in 2005, decided the wanted to become a part of the pizza industry. After two years of planning they opened their business near Kwik Trip downtown in September 2007.
Top / page 3
wale agboola• msu reporter Toppers Pizza employs more than 40 Minnesota State students.
Debunking the depression myth
Many people with depression often go untreated DANIEL BOETTCHER
staff writer
Depression is not often compared with diabetes or heart disease, but it is a treatable medical illness just the same. According to Family Living Focus, depression is caused by an imbalance of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. The illness may be triggered by external stressors and can be passed genetically in
families. As many as 80 percent of people with depression can have their symptoms successfully treated within weeks. The symptoms of clinical depression may include a consistent feeling of sadness or irritability, a loss of interest in favorite pastimes, changes in sleep patterns or appetite and a decline in academic performance. The key difference between diagnosable depression and a period of
unhappiness relates to the duration of symptoms. More than two consecutive weeks of sadness may indicate a genuine medical condition. “If somebody’s feeling down for a long period of time, and then they’re also feeling a hopelessness where they’re just not coming out of it,” said Gail GilmanWaldner, professor emeritus with the
Depression / page 6
index
ann reichel• msu reporter Editorial...................................4 Voices......................................5 Sports......................................9 Variety....................................11 Classifieds.............................15
Student takes apartment complex to court
One Reporter member reacts to Ratke
MSU football’s special teams
Variety reviews “Zombieland”
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