Academic Affairs Accomplishments 2009-2010
Fiscal Responsibility
The WIU strategic plan Higher Values in Higher Education calls for using planning, budgeting, and reporting structures to advance University goals and accountability. In Spring 2010, Academic Affairs units submitted annual reports that highlighted FY2010 accomplishments, identified FY2011 goals, and described FY2011 budget priorities. This annual reporting and budgeting process allows the University to identify its highest priorities so it can better allocate resources to those priorities, which is especially important given the recent economic downturn and uncertainty of the state's budget. Academic Affairs is committed to supporting the University's main priority of continuing to provide quality academic programs that remain affordable for students and families.
- Due to the State of Illinois cash flow crisis, Academic Affairs Units limited FY2010 spending to immediate operational needs only and halted numerous events and most travel in an effort to conserve as many resources as possible in order to meet payroll obligations and provide the necessary services to students.
- Academic Affairs Units identified at least 3.5 percent of their overall FY2011 budgets to pay for the anticipated rescission from the State of Illinois. These savings will result in 39 positions being left open and a reduction of $2,766,875 to the Academic Affairs budget.
- Despite the FY2011 rescission, essential equipment and personnel needs still exist. Colleges made plans to reallocate funds made available from vacant positions to support FY2011 priorities. A total of $1,146,331 in reserve/variance dollars was identified to support priority academic programming during the 2010-2011 academic year, with $468,139 continuing beyond 2010-2011.
The WIU Student Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (SCIMA) was named one of the four outstanding student chapters in the nation by the Institute of Management Accountants in the prestigious Award of Excellence student competition. In addition, SCIMA at WIU won a Best Practices award for its strategic plan. Above: Western SCIMA students.