The Missouri Western State University Board of Governors has adopted an operating budget of nearly $48.5 million for fiscal year 2013, which begins July 1, virtually unchanged from the $48.3 million budget approved last year.

The operating budget includes estimated revenue from tuition and fees of nearly $27 million, about the same as the current budget, and state appropriations of $20.4 million, a slight increase. On the expenditure side, the budget includes another 10 percent reduction in operating budgets, on top of previous cuts of 10 percent last year and 20 percent in 2009. It also includes a pay raise for employees of 2 percent or $600, whichever is greater.

“Our faculty and staff have worked hard to ensure continued excellence during tough budget times, and I am pleased that for the first time since 2008, we are able to offer employees a modest pay increase,” said Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Missouri Western’s president.

The board also approved an auxiliary services budget of $12.3 million, also down slightly from the current budget. The auxiliary budget includes self-supporting operations like residential life, campus dining, recreation services and others.

In other action, the Board of Governors:

  • Approved an addendum to Missouri Western’s software license and services agreement for application hosting services. Missouri Western originally contracted with Ellucian to use Banner ERP application software for a number of uses on campus and purchased a hardware platform to support the software system at that time. That hardware is nearing the end of its lifespan, so the university will contract with Ellucian to provide all the necessary hardware to run the software and to provide application management services. The combined costs of these services (approximately $235,000 annually for seven years) are about equal to the costs of replacing existing computer equipment and supporting it with Missouri Western employees. The contract also provides the added benefit of a redundant production server in the event the server stops working.
  • Adopted a policy establishing emeritus status for governing board members. Members of Missouri Western’s governing board who complete their terms or leave in good standing can be named to emeritus status, which will among other things provide a university identification card granting access to facilities and activities on the same basis as employees.
  • Reelected Kylee Strough as board chair, and elected Dirck Clark as vice chair.

Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.