Potential tuition increases due to state funding cuts and increased university spending were discussed by administration, student leadership and faculty members at yesterday’s Budget Development and Tuition Committee meeting. An increase has not been finalized, but debates over the issue will continue after spring break. Kellen Jenkins/ The Bulletin

Potential tuition increases due to state funding cuts and increased university spending were discussed by administration, student leadership and faculty members at yesterday’s Budget Development and Tuition Committee meeting. An increase has not been finalized, but debates over the issue will continue after spring break.

The university’s expenditures have increased due to mandatory rises in employee health insurance, retirement, promotions and possible state mandated increases to classified employee wages. Michael Lane, president of Emporia State, said that the university is doing whatever is possible to minimize the impact of budget cuts on students.

“We are advocating with the legislature to leave our money flat this year,” said Lane in an interview. “Not to decrease it more because we know the state budget is going to be lower for fiscal year 2011 than it is in 2010. So our position with them is whatever it takes, no more cuts and then we will work through what we need to to continue to offer the most quality education that we can to our students.”

But he said that the mandatory expenditures will likely be made up by a rise in tuition costs because he is “reasonably sure (the university) is going to get no more money out of the state.”

According to information provided by Ray Hauke, vice president for Administration and Fiscal Affairs, the cost increase for faculty promotions will be about $3,000 and the retirement increase will be around $700,000. Information for the other two major expenditures was unavailable.

In addition to these rising costs, health services and the athletic department are requesting increases in their budget from the university, which would affect the campus privilege fees that students pay in their tuition.

Due to many factors including a relocation to Southeast Morse, newer equipment and furniture and an increased cost of flu vaccines, Health Services is requesting a $1.50 increase to a total fee of $64.85 per full time student which will give them a total increase in their budget of about $12,000.

“All of these things add up over time,” said Jaque Schmidt, director of Student Wellness. “We want to be conservative because we know the budget situation. We kept it as modest as we felt we could, maybe even a little too modest.”

One thing brought to question was that the university issues free flu shots to students. The price of the shot will increase in cost from $6.00 to $11.60 next year and are a factor in the Health Services request. Some suggested the university not pay for these, but Schmidt said the benefits outweigh the costs.

“One of the things we’ve given the students as part of their privilege fee is free office visits and free flu shots because we feel that those things are beneficial to the health of the campus,” Schmidt said. “If we can keep the students from getting the flu, keep them in classes, keep them from spreading it, then that a service to the campus that we want to be sure to come in and get.”

The athletic department did not receive an increase last year but its requested increase of $7.40 will brings the total fee to $130.28 for full time students. The requested increase for part time students is 85 cents to a total fee of $14.86. The increase will help cover athlete medical costs, payment for game officials and travel to competitions.

“Our teams get around on a pretty thrifty budget and don’t have a lot of frills that go with it,” said Kent Weiser, athletic director. “But there are just certain things that if we are going to have a quality program we need to be able to provide.”

Carol Russell, President of Faculty Senate, said that it is important to remember that cuts are happening university-wide.

“I’m sure you do understand that in academics we do the same thing,” said Russell as a response to Weiser’s statement. “And also how it looks to cut our academics and cut positions and then increase athletics.”

The Budget Development and Tuition Committee will continue to debate this issue, but Lane said that their decisions are only a recommendation and that the Kansas Board of Regents makes the final decision.

“We don’t know what the other institutions are going to be doing,” Lane said. “But I expect that the committee will do a good job of discussing a lot of options and ultimately come down with a recommendation which is best for our institution which would ultimately be best for our students as well.”

The next meeting will be held on March 24 in the PKP room, upstairs in the union. The time has not been confirmed but has been set for 12 p.m. An open forum will be held sometime in May where students can voice their opinion.

Send article as PDF to

New Beginnings mark spring general assembly

Emporia State President Michael Lane discussed the budget crisis, new faculty positions and strategies for increasing school productivity with a shrinking budget during the Spring General Assembly titled “New Beginnings – New Realities” last Tuesday

“I think President Lane did a wonderful job articulating a positive direction but was still being honest about our current situation,” said Carol L. Russell, associate professor of Early Childhood/Elementary Teacher Education and President of Faculty Senate. “The budget issues force us to be creative problem solvers, otherwise we lose out. I think we’re in good hands.”

The current budget crisis came into focus as Lane discussed new strategies for coping with the lack of money from the state.

“This assembly was an opportunity for all the staff and faculty to get on the same page about the challenges we’re facing,” said Dave Sparks, media relations coordinator. “This also presents us with an opportunity to reaffirm the reasons we do what we do.”

The increase in student fees, and the relationship between their increase and falling state funding was discussed by Lane.

“Clearly things are challenging at this time, and they’ve been coming a long time,” Lane said. “Tuition and fees have increased and our budget has been cut by $4,238,931.”

Lane listed out three words that represented the objectives that ESU intends to achieve despite the smaller budget.

“Recruitment, retention and graduation are our three success words,” Lane said. “These three factors are part of our strategic plan, also called Engaging Excellence.”

A strategy soon to be implemented involves the evaluation of the “strategic importance” of positions vacated by the retirement or resignation of faculty and staff, Lane said.

“We have to decide which positions are strategically critical,” Lane said. “We intend to serve our current employee base, but if positions are vacated they need to be evaluated for importance to our three goals.”

Lane discussed the importance of initiating a mentoring program that would encourage students to strive for national awards and scholarships.

The goal of Gov. Mark Parkinson is to provide more funds to higher education. The governor’s office estimates that 2013 is when state revenues will allow for additional funding to schools.

“Higher education is a critical part of Kansas economic development,” Lane said. “Parkinson raised us to the top of the pile in his State of the State address, and we need to honor that.”

The memory of Jeff Hodapp, associate professor of Music, who passed away on Dec. 30 from a heart attack in Owatonna, Minn., was also honored with a moment of silence. New faculty and staff members were introduced directly after.

Send article as PDF to