WMU News

WMU adopts $211.3 million budget for 1999-2000

Oct. 8, 1999

KALAMAZOO -- Western Michigan University's Board of Trustees approved adoption Oct. 7 of an estimated 1999-2000 budget set at $211,381,809 for the fiscal year, a 6 percent increase over last year's estimated budget.

The new budget for the fiscal year that began July 1 includes $116.5 million in state appropriations and $90.5 million in tuition revenue. State appropriations increased by 5 percent and tuition by 3 percent.

Budget figures show WMU will spend nearly $7.8 million more in compensation for faculty and staff members this year than it did last year. Meanwhile, library acquisitions are expected to increase by 10 percent, utilities by 8 percent, student financial aid by 7 percent and supplies by 2 percent.

The University also will allocate an additional $900,000 for academic programming, $540,000 for the expansion of University programs in Grand Rapids, $525,000 for engineering building technology, $500,000 for the College of Aviation, $500,000 to cover expenses of opening new buildings and $300,000 for additional graduate assistants.

The budget includes what is called a targeted reduction of $1.6 million or 1 percent, which is routinely absorbed during the course of the year, officials said.

In other action, the Board of Trustees authorized a $20 per credit hour increase in the differential added to tuition for continuing education students, bringing the total differential to $40 per credit hour. The differential, which has not been changed since 1992, is applied to resident junior/senior and resident graduate tuition.

The board also authorized the administration to enter into long-term leases with three telecommunications companies for the use of space on WMU's new communications tower, which is located near the Campus Services Building. The companies are Century/Tel, Nextel and Airlink.

The administration was authorized to execute two additional leases as deemed appropriate. Each lease would be for up to 20 years with optional five-year extensions. Proceeds are expected to cover the debt cost on the construction of the tower, which will be used for upgraded radio service for the Department of Public Safety.

Finally, the board delegated authority to transfer excess funds from a bond issue for other purposes. The bonds, valued at nearly $60 million, were issued in 1997. Of the total, $2 million was intended for the renovation of a parking structure, but the actual cost was about $200,000 less. The difference will be used for paving near the power plant, summer roads projects and site work at Haenicke Hall.

Media contact: Mike Matthews, 616 387-8400, michael.matthews@wmich.edu


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