Page 1 of 4
Saint Paul College
Community Budget
Suggestions
Cost Savings Categories
1 - Essential to core values, but need to improve their efficiencies and effectiveness
2 - Essential to core values, but different service model needed to reduce costs
3 - Potential restructuring or targeted reductions
Timeframe
Short-Term (Fiscal Year 2013)
Division
Budget Suggestion
Academic Affairs
Charge a fee for overdue library books. I say this as an offender! If we (borrowers) are
irresponsible, we should expect to pay some fine in consequence.
Consider giving overload in cases where an additional class will easily fill, giving the college more
income. Last year, classes were cut to reduce overload, that normally would have filled. So,
even though overload was high, extra classes could have earned the college money.
Look into selling eBooks at the bookstore as an alternative format for texts. My students are
starting to buy eBooks, and many will probably want to buy their text as an eBook, since it is now
available in that format. If there is some way for the bookstore to be involved then we wouldn't
lose the profit.
My suggestion is that SPC increase it's portfolio of art related courses and design a curriculum for
those interested in creative fields of employment. Compete with MCTC's Film making
curriculum. Design a degree program that allows students to achieve most credits needed for a
BFA by offering more art theory, history and studio arts. The Twin Cities arts community has
been steadily growing and will continue to do so. It's time that people had an affordable way to
pursue there creative goals. SPC can be that place. Sure it will be difficult and expensive, but
adding to the already great staff of professors, proper promotion and a real involvement in the
arts community would insure profitable returns.
Offer test proctoring for students taking online classes at other institutions.
There has been history in the United States that when companies start to feel the pinch of
economic stress, most fail independently. Most try to support themselves on their own and it can
be the death of many companies. In today’s economic struggle, the strength comes from local to
federal government, private organizations, grants and medical communities where the pinch
though hard, still maintains integrity. I believe that in order to satisfy the economic struggle we are
face with, a quick answer would be an affiliation with private colleges should be brought into the
picture. This means working with colleges such as Rasmussen, Globe University and others
whom in the past, independently did their own. Also, working with Masters Degree programs such
as Augsburg, Saint Mary's and Concordia where an affiliation can capture some of their students
at a cost effective resource.
We have multiple lab assistants that are very busy during the semester, but have availability
during breaks when classes are not running. They could be used for additional campus projects
during breaks.
Revenue or Cost
Savings Category
Revenue
Decision
Complete
Revenue
Assessed Each
Semester
Revenue
In Process
Revenue
In Process
Revenue
Implement in
2013
In Process
Revenue
Cost Savings See Category
#1 Above
Complete
Page 2 of 4
Saint Paul College
Community Budget
Suggestions
Cost Savings Categories
1 - Essential to core values, but need to improve their efficiencies and effectiveness
2 - Essential to core values, but different service model needed to reduce costs
3 - Potential restructuring or targeted reductions
Timeframe
Short-Term (Fiscal Year 2013)
Division
Budget Suggestion
Academic Affairs
Academic Affairs Total
Finance and
Operations
Revenue or Cost
Decision
Savings Category
There is a market for existing college graduates who already hold a BA or BS to acquire important
Revenue
Implement in
technical skills. I think if we delivered that message to the right folks we would boost enrollment.
2013
We could infiltrate local private colleges and draw on students who are overpaying for courses
that will transfer. Again we would need to create a marketing taskforce to do this well. If we make
it easy for the students of private colleges to take courses that transfer, there is plenty of business
for Saint Paul College.
Devise a centralized process for faculty to obtain classroom and office supplies (printer paper,
white board markers, etc.) that would be more efficient than buying it from the bookstore or
ordering supplies by department.
Cost Savings See Category
#2 Above
I recommend gathering contact information such as address and phone number of students on a
regular basis so collecting on accounts is made easier once they graduate or move on. This
information is essential for collectors.
I think it is important to remind students that Financial Aid is a loan and not a gift so they can be
prepared to repay their loans.
Investigate rental of some facilities (i.e., theater) or, if they are available for rent, let people know
it! Nothing on website. Especially invite community activities that will expose people to other
programs. Look at the Wellstone Center (http://www.wellstonecenter.com/index.htm) for possible
structure and marketing.
Market our facility for outside use during off-peak times. We have a great location in proximity to
hotels, downtown, catering facility, etc. Offering a conference or event host site and market to
target groups. Example, the Cathedral holds weddings during off peak times for campus. We
could do more to market and create vendor relationships for wedding receptions, etc. We could
generate revenue for the college if we did more to promote this as a conference/meeting/event
site.
Offer catering on a website.
Revenue
MnSCU
OfficeMax
Contract
Available
Complete
Revenue
Complete
Revenue
Complete - put
on website in
2013
Revenue
Complete - put
on website in
2013
Revenue
Save lost & found items, solicit donations - have a couple of giant rummage sales annually.
Revenue
Implement in
2013
Auctions
completed
when needed
Page 3 of 4
Saint Paul College
Community Budget
Suggestions
Cost Savings Categories
1 - Essential to core values, but need to improve their efficiencies and effectiveness
2 - Essential to core values, but different service model needed to reduce costs
3 - Potential restructuring or targeted reductions
Timeframe
Short-Term (Fiscal Year 2013)
Division
Budget Suggestion
Finance and
Operations
Some information has been going around regarding recycling. As far as my understanding goes,
Saint Paul College receives money for the amount of recycling they produce. Posters, TV
broadcasts and emails should be distributed regarding better recycling habits so the campus can
make more while spending less on trash removal.
Taking a look at our waste practices may provide more cost savings in other areas.
We are always looking for ways to reduce our costs, one way we have developed is separating
our scrap waste further than past practices to gain more value per pound.
Saint Paul College is a geographically desirable location for events. We should market our cafe,
grille, faculty dining room and windowed conference rooms to the public. My sister had her
wedding reception on Summit Avenue - not far from here and paid top dollar. SPC view of the city
is spectacular and, with decorating, I have seen the cafeteria look stunning. This is a completely
untapped source of revenue. Consider offering free parking to weddings held at the cathedral who
also have their reception here. I'm sure there are many other incentives that could be offered to
compete with the Summit Ave mansions/downtown hotels.
Maybe people can start picking up after themselves in the rest rooms and bend over to pick up a
piece of paper or actually throw it away. I don't know why everyone else has to pick up for a
select few.
Cross train tuition, financial aid and enrollment services front line staff to create a one stop shop
for students. Reduce salary budget.
Finance and Operations Total
Foundation
I also think we should have little groups help fundraise for the school. If there were a huge
festival, I'm sure a lot of people would pay to come. And I'm sure there are students more than
willing to volunteer.
Revenue or Cost
Decision
Savings Category
Revenue
Implement in
2013
Cost Savings See Category
#2 Above
Revenue
In Process
Revenue
Complete - put
on website in
2013
Cost Savings See Category
#2 Above
Implement
clean campus
campaign in
2013
Implement in
2013
Cost Savings See Category
#2 Above
Revenue
In Process
Fundraising
committee
assists
Foundation
Page 4 of 4
Saint Paul College
Community Budget
Suggestions
Cost Savings Categories
1 - Essential to core values, but need to improve their efficiencies and effectiveness
2 - Essential to core values, but different service model needed to reduce costs
3 - Potential restructuring or targeted reductions
Timeframe
Short-Term (Fiscal Year 2013)
Division
Budget Suggestion
Foundation
Foundation Total
Information
Technology
Saint Thomas draws on its alumni to raise capital. Why not use that relationship with your
community to boost enrollment and create a Saint Paul College Foundation for tax deductible
donations. There are a few ways to do that, the easiest would be to partner with an existing 501c3
with a similar mission and create a subsidiary part dedicated to raising money for Saint Paul
College student scholarships. The Irwin Andrew Porter Foundation might be willing to talk with us
about that possibility. Its founder is Amy Hubbard as I recall. This mini foundation can be
managed by students of the college providing excellent career skills in the process.
Consider setting computers to default gray scale printing and check printers gray-scale abilities
for future printer purchases to reduce use of color cartridges.
Information Technology Total
Student
For the past 20 years, we have charged $20.00 for a duplicate graduation award. Fee should be
Development
increased.
Open second sections of filled classes. Identify online sections that fill early in the registration
process and have a second section open. Possibly we would net more students who may at this
time be signing up at other institutions.
Student Development Total
Workforce
Start using the cleanroom for outside industry - In my opinion the best way to earn money in this
Development
area is to hire a part-time QUALIFIED person that can actually run samples or train outside
users. Although it would initially cost money to hire someone, we would go from almost no use to
potentially maximum usage.
Workforce
Development Total
Revenue or Cost
Savings Category
Revenue
Decision
Foundation
helps fundraise
for scholarships
Cost Savings See Category
#2 Above
Complete
Revenue
Implement in
2013
Completed
each semester
Revenue
Revenue
In Process
This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by contacting Caidin Riley, Coordinator of Disability Services at 651.846.1547 or
caidin.riley@saintpaul.edu. For TTY Communication, contact the Minnesota Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1.800.627.3529.
Saint Paul College is an Equal Opportunity employer and educator and a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.