State of Affairs at KP

Colleges and Universities A-Z Merchant Marine Academy - Kings Point
1

<p>I know that there are a lot of rumors around the school that with Congress not passing budgets that the future of KP is in question. From my own son I have heard that food is scarce (if you want anymore than is offered you need to find a table with leftovers), librarian staff has been cut back, and he has a professor/teacher that has not shown up for class several times already this semester - and it's an important class. </p>

<p>I certainly don't want to create more rumors but I am concerned so I thought I'd post this and see if we can really find out what's going on at the school. Is this something that we as parents need to get more involved with? Is it alright to call the school or can that get our sons/daughters in trouble with staff for leaking this information?</p>

<p>Here's a comment from the 2007 Parents Association minutes from parent's weekend...</p>

<p>"Political Awareness -Fiscal year '08 (10/1/07-9/30/08) will be challenging for KP. The political climate in DC will affect all of government, including USMMA. The last election led to changes in "connections". Our leaders at USMMA are optimistic about FY 09. Parents can assist by working with and through Project Acta. CAPT Wallischeck described his own efforts to be more in tune with and visible to the Congress and Senate. He reported that a site visit to KP is being schedule for our Congressional Committee.</p>

<p>CAPT Wallischeck entertained questions. The group indicated their desire for information and education on letter writing to congress as well as encouragement for a coordinated effort in reaching the legislators with USMMA's message. Other topics discussed included the website, communication with the Alumni at KP needs, the Special Project currently in the Silent Phase: lack of information to Parent's Clubs about this project was a concern."</p>

<p>Is anyone familiar with Project Acta and/or what the special project that is in the silent phase is all about?</p>

2

<p>At the end of the day someone has to be prepared and obligated to man these ships:</p>

<p>North</a> American cruise passenger traffic increased by 12</p>

<p>Two points from USMMA reports to the White House:</p>

<p>1) USMMA produces nearly 80% of the licensed, qualified, obligated merchant mariners appointed each year in the USNR-MMR program. </p>

<p>2) 100% of its [USMMA] graduates have a 5-yr service obligation. SMA's voluntarily sponsor mariner education programs as part of their state-focused instructional program, and only those SMA grads who receive federal tuition assistance have a 3-yr service obligation. </p>

<p>So, unless the feds are going to turn the SMA voluntary programs into mandatory federally funded programs and increase the service obligation from 3 to 5 years there would be a serious shortage in the USNR-MMR in time of crisis without the USMMA.</p>

<p>You don't just yank personnel off of Navy ships to fulfill this function and I do not believe we conscript U.S. Merchant Mariners into the USNR-MMR during a crisis. Fundamentally, I believe this is the rational for having a federal service academy to fill this need. </p>

<p>There was an earlier thread here where the discussion focused on how the feds could argue that there is no need for a federally funded merchant marine academy:</p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/merchant-marine-academy-kings-point/407485-investigation-2.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/merchant-marine-academy-kings-point/407485-investigation-2.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>A point was made in the thread that the SMA's fill this need so why should the feds pick up the tab for the USMMA? Again, the point is that only 20% of USNR-MMR come out of the SMA's and they receive federal tuition assistance and are obligated to serve 3 years in the USNA-MMR. </p>

<p>Bottom line is that our federal government understands there is a need for a USNA- MMR so there are officers to operate the USN Military Sealift Command when needed. This is not a voluntary program and when you are serving in this capacity, it can be very hazardous. If the feds want this service then they will find a way to fund the education in return for a service commitment. </p>

<p>Should we be concerned about funding - yes. Is the sky falling - i don't think so. Anyone care to comment?</p>

3

<p>Here 's the most likely reason why there is a current shortage of funds: Congress hasn't passed the budget. The most recent continuing resolution lasts until Dec 4. Like most Federal agencies, they probably can't spend any new money for anything until the budegt passes. By the way - Congress is now out for the Thanksgiving recess so this won't be resolved soon.</p>

<p>"The 2008 federal fiscal year began on October 1, 2007. To keep the government running, Congress passed a continuing resolution at the end of September 2007 that funds the government until November 16, 2007. (Note: Second CR runs out Dec 4)</p>

<p>Additionally, one Fiscal Year 2007 supplemental bill was passed in 2007 that added funds for the Iraq War and Afghanistan to the FY 2007 budget. President Bush and Congress have passed these "emergency" supplemental appropriations since the beginning of the War on Terror, which has the effect of keeping the cost of the War out of the federal budget totals. </p>

<p>There are twelve main appropriations bills that fund the federal government. They are debated and passed under the terms of the FY 2008 budget resolutions passed in May 2007. Of the twelve bills, one has passed both chambers of Congress."</p>

<p>Here's from H.R. 3074 = Appropriations bill for the DOT:</p>

<p>OPERATIONS AND TRAINING
4 For necessary expenses of operations and training ac
5tivities authorized by law, $122,890,545, of which
6 $24,720,000 shall remain available until September 30,
7 2008, for salaries and benefits of employees of the United
8 States Merchant Marine Academy; of which $13,850,000
9 shall remain available until expended for capital improve
10ments at the United States Merchant Marine Academy; and
11 of which $10,500,000 shall remain available until expended
12 for maintenance and repair of Schoolships at State Mari
13time Schools.</p>

<p>I have no idea if this is more, less or same as prior years. I sure would like to hear from someone else who has some insight into this. By the way - the bill has passed the House. I didn't check for a Senate bill. But I think this one has gone to Conference.</p>

4

<p>Just sent out in an email today...</p>

<p>UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY
KINGS POINT, NEW YORK</p>

<p>November 20, 2007</p>

<p>SUPERINTENDENT’S NOTICE 2007-19</p>

<p>Subject: Establishment of Working Groups for Reinventing the Way We Work</p>

<p>The Academy community is facing challenging conditions today that are likely to be even more challenging for the immediate future. The Academy must find better and less costly ways to conduct its business affairs. Cost increases in food service and health care for midshipmen, utilities, mandated improvements in pay and benefits for faculty and staff are unavoidable. The funding for everything else decreases as these non-discretionary costs increase.</p>

<p>Today, the Academy strives to meet and complete its mission with a smaller budget and fewer staff than the U.S. Congress and the President approved for FY 2006. A budget may not be passed by Congress and signed by the President until after the election in November 2008, and the start of a new Congress and Presidential Administration in January 2009.</p>

<p>This notice announces the formation of four Working Groups to help identify real cost savings through improved operation of the Academy. Membership in a Working Group is voluntary. The following groups and temporary chairs are as follows:</p>

<ol>
<li> Working Group on Administrative Efficiency (Frank Todesco),</li>
<li> Working Group on Utility Conservation (Ken Sendlein),</li>
<li> Working Group on Buildings and Grounds (John McCormick), and</li>
<li> Working Group on Efficient Communication (Marty Skrocki).</li>
</ol>

<p>Each temporary chair will announce the time and place of an initial meeting where all who are interested are welcomed to attend. A report from each group will be presented to the Superintendent on or before December 31, 2007.</p>

<p>Groups and their chairs are encouraged to identify real cost savings—not cost shifting—that meet the following criteria: [1] Require little or no cost to implement, [2] Capable of immediate implementation, and [3] Produce long-term, and hopefully, permanent change to the way the Academy conducts its business affairs.</p>

<p>(original signed)
Joseph D. Stewart
Vice Admiral, USMS</p>

5

<p>Thanks WYTL2009-B. Was this an internal memo or did you all receive a copy? I'd like to respond to the Vice Admiral but only if it's okay that I knew about this letter. My husband is in the utilities field and would very much like to work to help reduce costs if it will help put the money back where it needs to be.</p>

6

<p>Ballstamom: volunteer your husband right away. I'd doubt you'd get "Sorry, m'am. We appreciate your offer to save us $300K, but can only do that with internal staff". Thanks. Any help is always appreciated.</p>

7

<p>LOL! Guess when you put it that way :-) We'll make the call tomorrow and start this ball rolling. I know we all have written letters to our congressmen and senators in the past asking them to support the budget but I'm guessing it's time to try that again and I'm thinking that letters from our sons and daughters couldn't hurt either. I'll report back on the response that we get.</p>

8

<p>Rumors of KP closing have trickled down to plebes and I'm hearing that it's reeking havoc with their morale. Isn't it true that these closure threats have been going on for a number of years? I'm not sure how to counsel on this one. What are their alternatives in the worst case scenario - if any?</p>

9

<p>Rumors are crazy around here, and you have to be careful which ones you listen to. Last night at a back from sea dinner some interesting statistics were brought to light that the American Government and Economy cannot afford to shut down the school. The Superintendent repeated over and over again that this has happened before and all we can do is work hard to get through the tough times. There is room in the budget for us, but congress has yet to pass it so we are living on the same amount of money we received from past budgets. He did suggest that we get ALL of our parents to write letters to their congressmen. He said that letters from the Midshipmen would not be appropriate, but the more letters from parents the better off we could be. </p>

<p>MMAMom, you asked about worst case scenarios. Like the Admiral said, sometimes if you talk about something too much it happens. But, be at ease, if the budget is ever cut out from under us, the students that are here will be allowed to finish their time and graduate. (or at least that's what the rumors say ;) )</p>

10

<p>If anyone has the name and address of the Transportation subcommittees and the committee members that have oversight of the Academy it would be most helpful. If your congressman sits on Ag and Health & Human Services committees your letter is, well just another letter. A direct fire approach may be more efficient. If any parents have friends or major contributors of committee members lets see if we can get a meeting with a little face time with those committee members. Let some mom (Jamzmom?) just show the Congressman some picture of her kid in choker whites and then tell the story of our mids serving on the USNS Comfort or on a MSC ship heading with supplies to Iraq and let them take up the standard and run with it. Having worked some in statehouse politics I found out that when you get legislators to make your cause their cause, it is the most effective politics.</p>

11

<p>Congressman Cummings out of Maryland is a Senior Member on Transportation
and my we met him at Academy recruiting meeting back in 2006 </p>

<p>Biography</a> of Congressman Elijah E. Cummings</p>

<p>From the port town of Baltimore
Ive written him a letter
Read his bio and feel free to also</p>

12

<p>Here's a link to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure:</p>

<p>House</a> Transportation and Infrastructure Committee: About the Committee</p>

<p>We should all send letters to any of these members in our state, especially if they represent your district.</p>

13

<p>Congressman Cummings is very much in support of KP. Met him on the Kings Pointer in June when it was in the Baltimore Inner Harbor. His aide is Katie Malone. He also has another aide that my son knows personnally. I will get his name. This is a great idea!</p>

14

<p>Ok, so to whom do we write if no one from our State is on the Committee? I'm from the Commonwealth of Virginia and I don't see anyone on there from Va.</p>

15

<p>Let the letters fly people. I just got off letter #1. St. Crispian got me movin' & a shakin'! :D</p>

16

<p>Ready to write! We've got a few in PA; unfortunately none are my reps, but I'll do a letter to the rest of them. Can you seasoned and informed ones provide FAST FACTS/COMPELLING POINTS to promote our cause and include in our letter?</p>

17

<p>Good idea MMAMom, does anyone have a form letter we can use? If so share it here that may help get the letters going!</p>

18

<p>LFWBDad, are you there? I know your plate if pretty full these days but feel that you can offer some great guidance on the matter of having our letters create a larger impact. I'm afraid the two that I've sent off might have been too informal. And perhaps you know of particular people, in addition to our Congressmen & Senators, to whom our letters be addressed? </p>

<p>I could have pm'd you but I wanted to enjoy a private moment of putting you in the hot seat out in the open. :D</p>

19

<p>Thought seeing this list grouped by states might be easier to digest. There are a number of states with strong representation so if we can get parents and the parent associations from those states working on the letter writing while others are working on the congressmen and senators from their respective states. And what would be the best way to get this effort out to the presidents of the various parent assocations so that we roll this out on a bigger scale? </p>

<p>Members of the Subcommittees<br>
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Oversight Plan
U.S. House of Representatives
110th Congress<br>
Majority (2165 RHOB) - (202) 225 -4472<br>
Minority (2163 RHOB) - (202) 225 -9446<br>
James L. Oberstar, Minnesota, Chairman
Don Young, Alaska
Harry E. Mitchell, Arizona
John Boozman, Arkansas
Grace F. Napolitano, California
Bob Filner, California
Doris O. Matsui, California
Gary G. Miller, California
Jerry McNerney, California
Laura Richardson, California
Ellen O. Tauscher, California
John T. Salazar, Colorado
Eleanor Holmes Norton, District of Columbia<br>
Corrine Brown, Florida
Mario Diaz -Balart, Florida<br>
Connie Mack, Florida
Vern Buchanan , Florida
John L. Mica, Florida, Ranking Republican Member
Lynn A. Westmoreland, Georgia
Mazie K. Hirono, Hawaii
Jerry Moran, Kansas
Daniel Lipinski, Illinois
Timothy V. Johnson, Illinois
Jerry F. Costello, Illinois
Julia Carson, Indiana
Leonard L. Boswell, Iowa
BruceL. Braley, Iowa
Richard H. Baker, Louisiana
Charles W. Boustany Jr., Louisiana
Michael H. Michaud, Maine
Michael E. Capuano, Massachusetts
Wayne T. Gilchrest, Maryland
Elijah E. Cummings, Maryland
Candice S. Miller, Michigan
Vernon J. Ehlers, Michigan
Timothy J. Walz, Minnesota
Gene Taylor, Mississippi
Sam Graves, Missouri
Russ Carnahan, Missouri
Frank A. LoBiondo, New Jersey
Brian Higgins, New York
Timothy H. Bishop, New York
Jerrold Nadler, New York
John R. “Randy ” Kuhl Jr., New York<br>
Michael A. Arcuri, New York
John J. Hall, New York
Robin Hayes, North Carolina
Howard Coble, North Carolina
Heath Shuler, North Carolina
Steven C. LaTourette, Ohio
Zachary T. Space, Ohio
Jean Schmidt, Ohio
Mary Fallin, Oklahoma
Peter A. DeFazio, Oregon
Bil Shuster, Pennsylvania
Charles W. Dent, Pennsylvania
Tim Holden, Pennsylvania
Todd Russell Platts, Pennsylvania
Jim Gerlach, Pennsylvania
Jason Altmire, Pennsylvania
Christopher P. Carney, Pennsylvania
Henry E. Brown Jr., South Carolina
Steve Cohen, Tennessee
John J. Duncan, Jr., Tennessee
Eddie Bernice Johnson, Texas
Ted Poe, Texas
Nick Lampson, Texas
Thelma D. Drake, Virginia
David G. Reichert, Washington
Rick Larsen, Washington
Brian Baird, Washington
Nick J. Rahall, II, West Virginia
Shelley Moore Capito, West Virginia
Thomas E.Petri, Wisconsin
Steve Kagen, Wisconsin</p>

20

<p>Yes give us some ideas on what to include in our letters to be most effective!</p>

<p>I have one of the Congressmen in my district! </p>

<p>USMMA parents on the move!!!!!</p>