University News
President Outlines FY04 Budget Priorities
July 1, 2003
President's Budget Letter to Campus Community
MACOMB, IL – Western Illinois University President Al Goldfarb emphasized the University’s instructional mission and support of employees as top priorities for the fiscal year starting July 1.
In a budget message to University employees Goldfarb expressed his gratitude to employees for their understanding and support the past budget year.
“Western has a loyal and dedicated faculty, staff and administration and student body,” Goldfarb said “I truly appreciate everyone’s willingness to make and accept difficult budget decisions, improve efficiency and keep our instructional mission as our top priority.”
The University operating budget will be $94,075,100 in FY04. This is less than the $95,319,000 operational budget for the year ending June 30 and also less than the FY02 total of $95,639,800. The University operational budgets reflect both a decline in state support as well as increases in University income funds. To illustrate the decline in state support, Western received $65,047,800 in state funds in FY02; the UniversityÂ’s FY03 state support was $59,357,800 and the FY04 state support level is $56,091,100. Additionally the University is required to allocate $1,944,800 of its state allocation for employee health insurance.
Even with limited funding the University must still address priorities including salary needs for outstanding faculty and staff, according to Goldfarb. A plan providing a 2.5 percent salary increase in FY04 has been suggested pending agreements with collective bargaining units at the University. At the same time, Goldfarb said the University will continue to guard against layoffs of currently employed personnel.
“I am pleased that even in the midst of such dire budget circumstances we are able to provide salary increases as well as retain employees,” Goldfarb said.
Additionally the University will continue to meet state-requested administrative cost adjustments by asking all local and bond funds at Western to provide 5 percent of their FY04 revenue toward a University administrative cost reallocation. This local and bond fund reallocation will generate more than $1.3 million to meet instructional priorities. The vice presidents, deans and directors will continue their reallocation efforts by moving an additional $1.89 million, from general revenue to meet the UniversityÂ’s budget shortfall.
“Western is fortunate to have additional income fund support due to growing enrollment, even as we continue our innovative, well-managed cost guarantee program which freezes tuition, fee and room and board rates for incoming students at levels appropriate for those entering the University,” Goldfarb said. “With our strong enrollment, our outstanding record of allocating resources toward our instructional mission and the loyalty and talent of our faculty, staff and students, we should still look forward to opportunities in the new fiscal year.”
Goldfarb noted the recent gift of 20 acres of land along with the former tech center facility from Deere and Company for the development of a WIU-Quad Cities Riverfront Campus also resulted in an award of $200,000 in state funds to begin formulating plans. The $4 million in planning funds for the Performing Arts Center (PAC) project at the Macomb campus was reappropriated for FY04.
“We will work with state officials to have an architect named and funds released to start planning for construction of the PAC,” Goldfarb said. “We also look forward to the arrival of our new Provost Joseph Rallo, the completion of our strategic plan and another increase in fall enrollment.”
President's Budget Letter to Campus Community
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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