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NEWS
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News Release |
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BGSU trustees approve 2005-06 budget, set fees
BOWLING GREEN, O.—Facing a $2.2 million decrease in state funding for the coming year, on Friday (June 24) the Bowling Green
State University Board of Trustees approved a 6 percent increase in tuition and fees for the 2005-06 academic year.
The board also approved the 2005-06 operating budget for the University, which includes a $243.4 million main campus educational
budget and an $11.3 million budget for BGSU Firelands.
State appropriations make up just 29.45 percent of the revenue in the 2005-06 educational budget while student fees comprise
66.02 percent. The remainder is from other revenue sources.
Under BGSU’s two-tier fee structure, continuing students who enrolled at the University before the summer of 2002 and those
who enrolled that summer or later pay different instructional rates. Effective fall semester 2005, main campus students who
entered before summer 2002 will pay an additional $232 in tuition per semester, while those who entered in summer 2002 or
later will pay an additional $244. The general fee has been decreased slightly (by 0.6 percent) to keep the overall tuition
and fee increase to 6 percent, the cap set by the state of Ohio.
Dr. Christopher Dalton, senior vice president for finance and administration, told the trustees the University is continuing
to feel “very real pain” in balancing the budget as a result of drops in state funding. He pointed out that $3.2 million in
permanent budget reductions are being made to balance the 2005-06 educational budget. This is in addition to the $4 million
permanent reduction in personnel costs for 2004-05.
The budget also reflects an increase of $7.8 million, or 18 percent, in funding for student financial aid and a 4.2 percent
increase for employee-related expenses, including a 10 percent increase in health care costs. It also includes $500,000 for
a contingency reserve to offset unforeseen declines in revenue.
The trustees also approved a 3 percent raise for University employees, with an additional 0.25 percent pool for merit increases
for eligible faculty and staff. Another $443,000 was earmarked for promotions, market adjustments and job reclassifications.
BGSU President Sidney Ribeau has said that enhancing the competitiveness of BGSU faculty and staff compensation continues
to be among the institution’s highest priorities in order to attract and retain high-caliber faculty and staff.
The trustees also approved a proposal for a master of arts degree in cross-cultural international education, which now goes
to the Ohio Board of Regents (OBOR) for approval, and passed a resolution in support of incorporating the scholarship of engagement
into the faculty recognition and reward system. The engagement initiative over the past academic year examined how the expertise
of faculty, staff and students, partnered with those outside academia, can play a role in economic development and the enhancement
of life for all Ohioans.
Concluding discussions they began nearly two years ago, the trustees enacted a new University Code of Ethics and Conduct meant
to encompass the entire campus community. The document summarizes ethical principles and standards of conduct found in a number
of University governance documents. The new code does not replace more detailed standards found in those other documents,
such as the Faculty Handbook and the Student Codes of Conduct.
A resolution was approved regarding appropriations enacted in Ohio House Bill 16, allocating $500,000 each for use at the
Perrysburg Heights Multipurpose Facility and the Wood County Senior Kitchen Project. The allocations, part of the state capital
bill, are to improve those facilities and enhance opportunities for clinical training and educational experiences that further
BGSU’s mission. The resolution authorizes the president, once regulatory criteria and intent have been met, to proceed with
the execution of appropriate joint-use agreements for review and approval by OBOR. Ribeau noted that the funds do not come
out of the University’s capital appropriations, and explained that the legislation adds to the community agencies’ facilities
while giving the University the opportunity to work as a partner with them.
The trustees also acted to consolidate previous agreements related to deferred compensation for the University’s president.
According to board member Michael Marsh of Bowling Green, the action clarifies the terms of agreement while ensuring compliance
with recent changes in the law, specifically the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. The agreement restates but does not result
in any new benefits for the president, Marsh said.
The board also granted limited authority for the University to invest in property adjacent to the Bowling Green campus through
July 1, 2007; gave emeritus status to 16 retired faculty, and the title of Distinguished Professor of the Arts to Thomas Muir
of Perrysburg. Muir is a professor in the University’s School of Art whose work as a metalsmith and jeweler is internationally
known.
At the end of the meeting, Trustee Ed Ferkany of Powell said he would be unable to serve the last year of his nine-year term
on the board and is submitting his resignation to Ohio Gov. Bob Taft. Ferkany said he plans to move to Florida for health
reasons. Trustees are required to be residents of Ohio.
(Posted June 24, 2005 )
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