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YSU plan balances budget
TweetMeasures include increases in tuitionBy Denise Dick
Youngstown
Through a combination of unfilled vacancies, use of reserves, a slight enrollment increase and other measures, Youngstown State University can balance its budget through 2014.
YSU trustees reviewed the plan from the administration during a retreat Friday. No formal action was taken.
The plan is to address what YSU says is a $7 million deficit caused by a reduction in state funding and a 4.3 percent drop in fall enrollment compared to fall 2010.
Under the plan, the university won’t fill 70 vacant staff and 10 to 15 vacant faculty positions this year.
“The budget challenge that we face this fiscal year is significant, but we have a plan in place that will allow us to balance the budget and, at the same time, continue to maintain and enhance the university’s academic and student services,” Sudershan Garg, board chairman, said in a news release.
Not everything in the plan, though, is a sure thing.
The balanced budget assumes that enrollment stabilizes in the spring and increases by 1 percent in fiscal year 2013 and that there’s no change in funding from the state through fiscal year 2014.
Also included is a 3.5 percent tuition increase in fiscal year 2013 and fiscal year 2014.
Documentation submitted to the board by the finance department shows that if YSU had increased tuition up to the state cap each year, it would have had $57 million in additional revenue from fiscal years 2000 through 2012.
The plan also includes the use of about $1.36 million in university reserve funds, $2.4 million in savings from the early retirement savings program in FY 2013 and $200,000 in additional revenue in FY 2013 through distance education and online courses.
Neal McNally, budget director, said about $1 million in additional revenue included in the plan is through increasing the overhead charge, essentially an administrative fee, charged to auxiliary divisions at the university. Auxiliary units — the bookstore, housing services, intercollegiate athletics, parking, the Andrews Recreation and Wellness Center, the Steel Museum and Kilcawley Center — are units that generate their own revenue, but for which the university still administers services.
Trustees attending Friday’s retreat indicated their support for the plan.
“As much as I hate to project that student tuition will rise to the maximum for the next two years, I don’t see much of an alternative,” said Trustee Leonard D. Schiavone.
President Cynthia E. Anderson said the administration will continue to look for ways to trim expenses and raise revenue.
“This is a carefully crafted plan that will be monitored closely as we move forward,” she said in the news release. “It is imperative that we maintain a tight control on spending and enhance revenue through increased enrollment and student retention in order to transition through this difficult fiscal period.”
The university plans a marketing campaign as a recruitment tool and additional efforts to bolster retention.
“It’s been tough going, and it’s not over,” said Ikram Khawaja, provost and vice president for academic affairs.
By Denise Dick
Youngstown
Through a combination of unfilled vacancies, use of reserves, a slight enrollment increase and other measures, Youngstown State University can balance its budget through 2014.
YSU trustees reviewed the plan from the administration during a retreat Friday. No formal action was taken.
The plan is to address what YSU says is a $7 million deficit caused by a reduction in state funding and a 4.3 percent drop in fall enrollment compared to fall 2010.
Under the plan, the university won’t fill 70 vacant staff and 10 to 15 vacant faculty positions this year.
“The budget challenge that we face this fiscal year is significant, but we have a plan in place that will allow us to balance the budget and, at the same time, continue to maintain and enhance the university’s academic and student services,” Sudershan Garg, board chairman, said in a news release.
Not everything in the plan, though, is a sure thing.
The balanced budget assumes that enrollment stabilizes in the spring and increases by 1 percent in fiscal year 2013 and that there’s no change in funding from the state through fiscal year 2014.
Also included is a 3.5 percent tuition increase in fiscal year 2013 and fiscal year 2014.
Documentation submitted to the board by the finance department shows that if YSU had increased tuition up to the state cap each year, it would have had $57 million in additional revenue from fiscal years 2000 through 2012.
The plan also includes the use of about $1.36 million in university reserve funds, $2.4 million in savings from the early retirement savings program in FY 2013 and $200,000 in additional revenue in FY 2013 through distance education and online courses.
Neal McNally, budget director, said about $1 million in additional revenue included in the plan is through increasing the overhead charge, essentially an administrative fee, charged to auxiliary divisions at the university. Auxiliary units — the bookstore, housing services, intercollegiate athletics, parking, the Andrews Recreation and Wellness Center, the Steel Museum and Kilcawley Center — are units that generate their own revenue, but for which the university still administers services.
Trustees attending Friday’s retreat indicated their support for the plan.
“As much as I hate to project that student tuition will rise to the maximum for the next two years, I don’t see much of an alternative,” said Trustee Leonard D. Schiavone.
President Cynthia E. Anderson said the administration will continue to look for ways to trim expenses and raise revenue.
“This is a carefully crafted plan that will be monitored closely as we move forward,” she said in the news release. “It is imperative that we maintain a tight control on spending and enhance revenue through increased enrollment and student retention in order to transition through this difficult fiscal period.”
The university plans a marketing campaign as a recruitment tool and additional efforts to bolster retention.
“It’s been tough going, and it’s not over,” said Ikram Khawaja, provost and vice president for academic affairs.
Comments
And the downward spiral continues . . . .
I was referring to the quality of the education students get, Mister One-Track-Mind.
Less employees, especially less faculty, means less opportunities for the students to learn. Less non-teaching employees means the litter isn't picked up (you want students to clean up after themselves??) and the sidewalks aren't cleared and the repairs aren't getting done. That causes less students to want to go there, and also causes the better-qualified teachers to not want to work there. Thus, it's a downward spiral.
Why don't you take your obsession with unions, combine it with your bitter sore-loser attitude over SB 5, and cram them where the sun don't shine?
How about those students with loans work off their balances by working for the university? It is a win - win for both. But no; the unions would file unfair labor practices and no student would apply hoping for a congressional bail out. Whilst we are at it, why do the trustees need a "retreat" when they can meet on campus. I can see $10 cups of coffee and $25 continental breakfasts.
It was stated by me and others awhile back that a tuition increase was on the way. And we were right. How much more can the students and their families bear?
FalconEddie, are you aware of the increased (above previous contracts) cost-sharing for insurance that came out of YSU's last contract with non-teaching employees? And while they didn't take pay cuts, zero-raises for two years combined with increased costs amounts to a pay cut.
When will the administration QUIT getting raises and take a cut, do a give back? Have you seen the president giving back any money? Oh excuse me, she did make a scholarship donation - AFTER the money has been counted towards her retirement. How fair is this? Ask the NON-union a## kissers to give back and they do because they had the money calculated for their retirement THEN they give it back? The public isn't stupid and are on to the tricks of management. How about that wage freeze? Oh I forgot, it only applies to the bottom feeders, meanwhile there are currently searches going on for TWO vice president slots. How is that a freeze? Really? So they can advance the agenda of the board that can ONLY raise tuition. No wonder the enrollment is down, people are going to the community college. The administration is pricing themselves right out of poor students to come pay the high salaries. I am so sick of hearing how great that place is and how the workers are scum. I think it is the other way around but who would believe a taxpayer who is on to their game. There was an article in the Friday edition with that president on the front page where she was praising her drones for giving back money. Why is it Unavailable? So no one can comment on the tactics of the rich?