WMU News

Trustees approve operating budget of nearly $200 million

July 24, 1998

KALAMAZOO -- The Western Michigan University Board of Trustees approved a 1998-99 general fund operating budget of $199.1 million, an increase of $10.7 million over last year's revenue base.

The budget reflects increases in state appropriations of $3 million and in tuition income of $7.2 million as well as a decrease of $598,000 in interest income. The budget includes a projected excess of spending over income of $214,000, which is within the normal range.

The biggest increases are for faculty and staff compensation, at $6.2 million; incentives for teaching assistants and doctoral associates, at $1 million; and for student financial aid, at $750,000. They constitute 80 percent of the increases in this year's general fund budget.

"These increases represent an investment in the people who deliver and support a quality educational experience for our students as well as our efforts to help soften the impact of this year's tuition increase on our students and their families," said President Diether H. Haenicke.

"Our goal is to meet our commitment to our faculty to bring their salaries into line with their colleagues at other major universities in the state and to attract the best master's and doctoral candidates," Haenicke continued. "This is the primary way we can enhance the quality of our programs and help the University move forward."

The rest of the increase comes from utilities, library acquisitions, equipment, two research regulatory staff positions, student bussing, gender equity in athletics and the opening of new buildings. WMU instituted a campuswide bus system during the last winter semester to reduce traffic and parking congestion.

Media contact: Mike Matthews, 616 387-8400, michael.matthews@wmich.edu


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