During its May 12 meeting, the Eastern Washington University board of trustees went over the first readings of the university’s 2017-19 biennial operating budget.
The budget revenue for the biennium is estimated at roughly $537.16 million. Expenses are estimated at roughly $529.38 million.
The proposed funding level for 2017-19 from the Senate is over $115.26 while the House of Representatives’ proposal is over $119.11 million.
The budget is based on a projected enrollment of 10,651 students, which has remained relatively flat since 2013. Eighty-two percent of enrollment is in-state resident undergraduates, while 8 percent is resident graduate.
Toni Habegger, associate vice president for business and finance and chief financial officer, said the enrollment numbers can be revised in year two if there is a big spike in the head count.
The budget includes a 2.2 percent tuition increase for residential undergraduates for 2018, which is in the Senate’s budget proposal. This increase would raise the annual rate to $6,425 The Senate’s budget also calls for a 2 percent increase in 2019.
The board viewed drafts for the 2017-19 capital budget proposals. The Senate’s proposal is over $78.86 million, including $60 million for the new science center and $5 million for preservation and infrastructure.
The House’s proposal is over $82 million, including over $67 million for the center, which Habegger said would fully fund the project.
According to the university timeline, the board is expected to approve the budget in June.
The Student Technology Fee Committee announced it will bring a proposal to the board that will raise the university’s technology fee from $35 to $40. Wesley Snell, the technology advancement representative for the Associated Students of Eastern Washington University, explained the fee increase is to help maintain the level of technology services Eastern provides students. Snell added that the fee has been $35 since 1999 and the students held an advisory vote approving the increase.
Scott Gordon, EWU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, announced that faculty has adopted a new model for general education requirements for the 2017 fall quarter. He explained the changes to the general education model include a 20 percent decrease in credit hours.
“It will help students explore dual majors and minors,” Gordon said. “Faculty has already started to discuss implementation and they have already updated the course catalogue.”
In other business: The board approved policies for Academic Integrity, Adjudicative Proceedings and Electronic Signatures.
Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].
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