Paul Wagner, Deputy Commissioner of the Missouri Department of Higher Education, visited Western in efforts to brief the state’s colleges on major budget challenges in the next few years. So far, federal stabilization money has provided the padding for colleges after decreasing state revenue reduced the amount of money available to them.

Statewide, $560 million was spent on higher and secondary education for this fiscal year. Only $109 million will be left for the 2011 fiscal year. Wagner said that most colleges across the state at which he has spoken have just begun to deal with the budget news.

“Most of the time when I give these presentations, it’s kind of like the cold water in the face,” Wagner said. “And they’re more just coming to grips with the situation as opposed to having worked through many of these problems.” Wagner detailed the subject during his presentation November 10th in Kemper Recital Hall.

What this means for Missouri Western is a reduction of possibly 5 percent in the overall budget for 2011 fiscal year—potentially $200 million dollars less for Western’s budget during that school year, according to Missouri Western President Dr. Robert Vartabedian.

Vartabedian said he and others at Western have anticipated the budget woes, and have already begun making some adjustments. “We’ve suspended faculty, staff and administrative awards as well as sabbaticals, which is only a $200,000 savings but it’s a start,” Vartabedian said.

In addition to the earlier freezing of pay raises for faculty in the ‘09 to ‘10 school year, Vartabedian said they have a number of options left. He said that, due to a shortage of further large cuts, they would look at many smaller areas to save money.

Kent Heier, Western’s Assistant Director of Public Relations and Marketing said many options are being considered. “I think we’ll be looking at ways to cut costs as well as increase revenue—and enroll–ment growth is one way to increase revenue,” Heier said.

He pointed out Western’s record enrollment the last five years, a trend that will likely continue as a reverse effect of poor economic times. Heier said many more people will likely be seeking extra training and returning to school as the result of lean times and unemployment.

As far as the effect on students, Heier said there should be few inconveniences. “Some things we’re looking at are expanding online classes, making summer classes more efficient, offering incentives for faculty to retire or simply analyzing the further need for a staff position when it becomes vacant, rather than re-hiring for it,” Heier said.

Heier said Western’s course offerings and small classroom sizes would be very unlikely to be affected by shortages. Dr. Vartabedian further pointed out the fact that tuition increases were currently not on the table, or even an option under state law. “State law prevents any college or university from increasing tuition rates by a percentage higher than the cost of living increase,” Vartabedian said.

Any schools wishing to do so would have to go through the process of receiving a waiver from the state. Vartabedian and Heier agreed with Wagner in that the situation is still new however. Heier cautioned that any decisions made about budget cuts, whatever they may be, would not begin consideration until May or June of 2010.

1 Comment

1.   cherie   |  Wednesday, 02 December 2009 at 5:49 pm

   Vartabedian also has construction plans of his own, hoping to oversee the construction of a presidential residence, which would serve as both his own personal home and a place for hosting campus events.

   This is from the article on campus growth. Is it just me or are Mr. Vartabedians priorities a little off?