Speaking before the Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs yesterday, Provost Teresa Sullivan discussed issues ranging from the state budget and Michigan Promise Scholarship to the announcement that President Barack Obama will be speaking at spring commencement.

But despite the range of topics she discussed at yesterday's meeting, Sullivan reported that her office is relatively quiet right now.

The recent announcement of Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s budget proposal for the next fiscal year was a topic of conversation at the meeting, as Sullivan mentioned that state-funding levels for the University are expected to remain the same as last year.

While the budget plan was balanced with proposed increases in taxes, Sullivan said she doesn’t feel optimistic about budget realities since she believes the taxes will likely not be put into effect.

Sullivan also discussed Granholm’s proposal to reinstate the Michigan Promise Scholarship — a merit-based program that gives in-state students between $500 and $4,000 over the course of four years to help pay for tuition.

Sullivan talked about Granholm’s proposal to bring the scholarship back with “delayed gratification” for students as a tax credit that would be awarded if the graduate decided to stay in Michigan for one year after graduation.

In addition to the state budget, Sullivan also discussed her office’s progress on the University’s budget for the upcoming year. She said she is holding two budget meetings with deans each day in order to make sure the budget makes it to the University Board of Regents’ desk by the June deadline.

“We are working towards having the budget ready for the Board of Regents in June,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan also talked about last week’s announcement that President Obama would deliver this spring’s commencement address.

For the event, which will take place amid the ongoing construction at Michigan Stadium, Sullivan said all elevators and bathrooms would be ready in time, but that the stadium’s new club suites would not be ready for use.

"We understand that a lot of faculty may want to come to graduation this year,” she added with a laugh.

Sullivan also talked about proposed changes to the grievance procedure for resolving faculty disputes, noting that it is currently under review by Law School professors who are examining its language.

Sullivan discussed faculty promotions too telling SACUA members that she would begin reviewing recommendations for promotions after spring break.

The promotions process involves a series of sessions during which Sullivan will meet with two faculty reviewers. The reviewers who aid Sullivan in the review are selected by the Office of the Provost and are senior faculty members.

After reviewing the case, Sullivan will occasionally speak with a dean, especially if the review committee was not persuaded by a dean’s point of view.

CFO Tim Slottow discusses building maintenance

Tim Slottow, executive vice president and chief financial officer for the University, also spoke at yesterday’s SACUA meeting. Slottow explained the process for determining which buildings on campus are most in need of maintenance.

He said University officials use a one-to-four scale to judge which buildings are in need of the most repair. A building rated a one is deemed to potentially place the building’s inhabitants in extremely dangerous situations if the building goes without repair.

Slottow said the University is currently working on trying to fix the backlog of deferred maintenance for many University buildings. He said the Facility Condition Index allows buildings to be assessed for their conditions and then the proper maintenance or corrections to be done.

“We are trying desperately to reduce deferred maintenance,” Slottow said.