Regarding a budget, I haven't had one since I've been here. I was able to buy some parts, but had to ask for them. But yesterday I had meeting with my chair, and I brought this subject up again. I gave him a list of our inventory, which comes to a little less than $2M. I also gave him a list of pianos that need replacement parts that I need NOW, which comes to about $50,000. He was impressed, and agreed that I needed a budget. He brought up that he is sure the motor pool has a budget to maintain it's fleet of cars. He promised to try to get some money for me. (He has to go to the Dean to get it). I'm not holding my breath, but it's nice to know that he finally understands the need for a budget. Wim -----Original Message----- From: Chris Solliday <solliday at ptd.net> To: College and University Technicians <caut at ptg.org> Sent: Fri, 16 Jun 2006 10:18:54 -0400 Subject: Re: [CAUT] New Department Administrators Jeff, the piano overseer is the department's contact person for the tech so that would be an impossible conflict. As for not getting the budget, get back in there and pitch, thump those Guidelines, and lower your percentage to 5 gradually as you negotiate, but this formula works, and if you're severely understaffed and underbudgeted start digging out of that hole. So at 5 you would only have $70,000 for yearly maintenance of 125 pianos. If your staff and have bennies your whole package and parts etc must be close to that. No? And never say never. Chris Solliday ----- Original Message ----- From: Jeff Tanner To: College and University Technicians Sent: Friday, June 16, 2006 6:28 AM Subject: Re: [CAUT] New Department Administrators On Jun 16, 2006, at 1:24 AM, Chris Solliday wrote: Rob, With 4 contracts for over 25 years I have seen so many come and go I don't even want to count them. For me the only thing that has ever worked well other than doing a good job and becoming trusted is to keep pounding the "Guidelines." The suggestions in there, relating to the issues you raise, are right on the money and can help. Certainly having only one person, the "piano overseer," working with you is first, My opinion is that the "piano overseer" should be us. and setting up a budget that reflects the recognition that maintenance of an inventory includes three parts replacement fund, rebuilding fund and yearly maintenance fund is primary. It can be done with patience over time, with education, and I admit I have spent a few dollars on nicely printed versions of the Guidelines to help impress them, but it has been money well spent. If your replacement (with new) value of your inventory is over $600,000.oo then the recommended 10% gives you 20,000 each for the three areas. Remember that includes salaries. But $600,000 isn't a very large inventory anymore either. My 125 pianos come in at a cool $4.3 million. But no administrator is going to give you $430K to maintain 125 pianos. They're comparing what their neighbors are budgeting per instrument -- not per replacement value. (and no, it isn't Steinway driving that value up. We have 62 Baldwins.) Jeff Tanner, RPT University of South Carolina ________________________________________________________________________ Check out AOL.com today. Breaking news, video search, pictures, email and IM. All on demand. Always Free.
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