WKU’s Board of Regents today (June 24) approved a $385 million budget and tuition and mandatory student fees for 2011-12.
The budget represents an increase of $3.3 million (0.9 percent) over 2010-11, including an additional $9 million from tution and fees and a total reduction in state funding of almost $1 million.
WKU President Gary Ransdell said the increase in tuition was not enough to meet all of the University’s fixed cost obligations.
“Our priority was to protect personnel,” he said. “In this budget we did not lay off anyone from a filled position.”
Ann Mead, vice president for Finance and Administration, said the budget was “adequate, but we look forward to better days ahead. I believe we have weathered the storm better than many other systems across the country.”
The budget includes funds for a 1 percent salary increase for full-time employees, with a floor of $500 and a ceiling of $1,000. It also includes a recurring expenditure reduction plan for $2.3 million necessary to balance the budget.
“All things considered, I see positive signs for an increase in state revenues and a swing in the pendulum away from budget reductions,” Dr. Ransdell said.
Tuition and Fees
The Board also approved the 2011-12 tuition and mandatory student fee schedule. Full time resident undergraduate students will pay $262 more than fall 2010, or $4,042 per semester. That includes an additional $70 per semester fee supported by the Student Government Association to retire bonds to renovate the Downing University Center.
Full time tuition rate for Tuition Incentive Program counties will be $5,172 per semester, up from $4,836. Tuition rates for these and other programs is posted at http://www.wku.edu/bursar/fees.html.
Tuition and fees make up almost 43 percent of the budget, followed by state appropriations at 20 percent.
Other actions
The Board also approved officers for 2011-12. Freddie Higdon of Lebanon was elected chair; J. David Porter of Lexington was elected vice chair; and Dr. Melissa B. Dennison of Glasgow was elected secretary.
Billy Stephens of Hawesville was sworn in as WKU's student regent by Regents Chair Jim Meyer on Friday. WKU photo by Clinton Lewis.
Billy Stephens of Hawesville was sworn in as student regent. Stephens was elected president of the Student Government Association in April.
