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Executive Vice President Brian
Murphy answers questions Savannah College of Art and Design Executive Vice President Brian Murphy has been working with President Paula S. Wallace, Chairman of the Board John Burger, Second Vice Chairman of the Board Dr. Paul Bradley and a board-appointed committee to research and finalize plans for SCAD Group Inc., the college’s new subsidiary. Murphy answered questions about SCAD Group Inc. and what the new structure means for students, faculty and staff. Q: Why is the college doing this now? A: We are planning for the future. These are great times for the college with record enrollment and faculty and staff committed to student education and career preparation. As the board of trustees reflected on the tremendous success of the college during its first 25 years, the board began to focus on the issues associated with planning for the college to remain strong for the next 25 years and beyond. It was determined that a new organizational structure could enable the institution to create new sources of funding to accommodate growth in current programs in Savannah and enable expansion into new areas and possibly new locations. Q: How does the new structure work? A: Under a contractual relationship, SCAD Group Inc. earns revenue by providing non-academic services to the college. This allows SCAD to keep core competencies intact. As a for-profit company, SCAD Group Inc. would eventually be able to sell services to raise funds for new programs and initiatives. Q: What new ventures could SCAD Group Inc. undertake? A: SCAD Group Inc. could possibly provide marketing materials to other colleges, such as catalogs, posters, DVDs and Web sites. It could also allow SCAD to expand into new areas, such as the SCAD campus in Lacoste, France, which the college has successfully owned and operated for two years. Q: How does this new structure benefit the college? A: SCAD Group Inc. could raise funds for increasing scholarships for current students, replacing thousands of computers needed over the next five years, renovating a student center and new academic buildings, and building an endowment. Q: How will the formation of SCAD Group Inc. affect the quality of education and student experience at SCAD? A: The quality of education and student experience will only get better as new programs, facilities, resources and services are added. Q: Who makes the admission and hiring decisions for the college? A: SCAD does. Q: Will tuition increase? A: A 6-percent increase in tuition for the 2004-2005 academic year had already been approved by the board and was published last summer. This increase is in line with national norms and still keeps SCAD tuition below that of most private institutions. Q: What will change for staff who are transferred to SCAD Group Inc.? A: New insurance cards must be issued and staff will have several options for handling their existing retirement funds or transferring their retirement funds from TIAA-CREF to American Funds. Otherwise, things remain the same, with no changes in job descriptions, salaries or benefits such as vacation accrual, holidays, tuition waivers, etc. Q: What will change for faculty? A: Nothing will change for faculty, since they remain with SCAD. The administration, academic structure, curriculum, schools and majors remain with SCAD. All contracts, salaries and benefits remain the same. Q: What will President Paula Wallace’s role be with SCAD and SCAD Group Inc.? A: The Savannah College of Art and Design Board of Trustees oversees SCAD and SCAD Group Inc. and has appointed Wallace to be president of both. Q: Who owns SCAD Group Inc.? A: SCAD owns SCAD Group Inc. Q: Can people still make tax-deductible donations to SCAD? A: Yes. SCAD maintains its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and all donations are tax-deductible. These contributions assist in funding scholarships, resources and cultural programming. Q: Will SCAD Group Inc. employees still have their SCAD ID cards? A: Yes, every employee keeps a SCAD ID card for access to facilities, performances, the fitness centers, etc., and may still benefit from SCAD Card privileges with college ancillaries and with outside vendor discounts and conveniences. Q: Will my office move? Who will I report to? A: All offices remain in place. Some slight changes may occur in reporting structure, but most departments continue with “business as usual.” Q: Will I still earn service pins with the college? A: Yes, all employees still continue to build longevity with SCAD and will be recognized with service pins at normal intervals, i.e., five-year, 10-year, 15-year, etc. We are still one big SCAD family. Q: Who can I call if I have questions? A: Faculty, staff and students may send e-mail to scadgroup@scad.edu or through interoffice mail to “SCAD Group” or call 525-5270. |
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