University News
BOT Sets FY'14 Budget
September 21, 2012
MACOMB, IL -- The Western Illinois University Board of Trustees approved the Fiscal Year 2014 operating budget and capital budget recommendations and approved a Ph.D. in Environmental Science at the Friday, Sept. 21 board meeting.
The board approved a FY2014 operating budget increase of $15.5 million. Western's current FY2013 operating budget is $127 million. The proposed budget, which will be forwarded to the Illinois Board of Higher Education for consideration, includes an additional $6 million to support salary and cost increases; $2 million for deferred maintenance; $4.5 million for the operation of the Quad Cities Riverfront Campus; $1.5 million for student financial aid; $750,000 for the healthcare professional education program; and $750,000 for the Bachelor of Science in Engineering program.
The board also approved the FY'14 capital budget request of $134.3 million to support campus utility infrastructure ($57.8 million); planning for a WIU-Macomb Science Complex ($11.5 million); WIU-QC Riverfront Campus Phase III construction ($34.7 million); life safety and accessibility improvements ($22 million); and for a WIU-Macomb Visual Arts Center ($8.3 million). In addition, $8.6 million in capital renewal funds was approved for critical deferred maintenance needs such as classroom modernization, improving HVAC and building energy management controls, enhancing electrical and plumbing systems and renovating sidewalks, drives and stairs at both campuses.
The board approved a Ph.D. in Environmental Science, with an emphasis on large river ecosystem science. The multidisciplinary degree will allow WIU to provide greater coherence to the field of large river ecosystem science, broaden the advanced training available to its students, enhance opportunities for faculty engagement in scholarship, directly support regional economic and community development and advance its position as a leader in environmental research on the upper Mississippi River. The new degree program will be forwarded to the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) for consideration.
The board approved an increase of $5 for the online admissions application (from $25 to $30); approved the FY13 all funds budget; and delegated the approval of a furniture vendor for the Thompson Hall renovation project to the president (cost not to exceed $1.5 million).
The board also recognized former Assistant to the President for Governmental Relations Dave Steelman, who retired in Summer 2012, for his service to Western Illinois University.
The next meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held Dec. 14.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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