News Release
June 29, 2009
Regents approve 2009-'10 budget package
The Northwest Missouri State University Board of Regents met in regular session Thursday, June 25, and approved budgets for the 2009-'10 fiscal year, which begins July 1.
Annual University spending is divided into the Education and General Budget, which includes academic and administrative salaries and operations, and the Auxiliary Enterprises Budget, which outlines projected income and expenditures for self-sustaining operations such as dining services and student housing.
The Education and General Budget for 2009-'10 totals $81.5 million, up from $74.9 million last year. However, much of the apparent increase represents dozens of existing activities not previously budgeted, and annual income and expenses for these items essentially break even, according to Ray Courter, vice president of finance and support services.
In exchange for no state cuts to its base appropriation, Northwest did not raise tuition for 2009-'10. Several other income categories are up, however, including the University's technology fee, special fees and private gifts and grants.
In May, the regents adopted $2 per-credit-hour fee increases for technology and classroom renovation following approval by the Student Senate as required by state law. The measure raised the technology fee from $10 to $12 and the classroom renovation fee from $5.50 to $7.50.
Northwest will receive $33.6 million in state appropriations in 2009-'10, the same as last year with the addition of $527,000 in Caring for Missourians funding that will pay costs associated with the University's new bachelor of science in nursing degree completion program. Caring for Missourians is a state initiative designed to increase the number of students preparing for careers in high-demand, critical-need health care fields.
Auxiliary spending by Northwest is projected to increase by just over $1 million in fiscal 2009-'10, from $22.7 million to $23.8 million. Board-approved contract rates for food and housing plus anticipated enrollment are expected to cover the cost.
Faculty and staff salaries will remain unchanged from 2008-'09. Northwest's payroll comprises approximately 750 employees who will collect $31.8 million in wages over the next 12 months.
In other business the board:
- Approved a lease with Northwest Energy Center LLC related to a proposed wind turbine development on the University's R.T. Wright University Farm north of Maryville. Under the terms of the agreement, NEC has up to seven years to perform design and engineering studies before proceeding with construction. At the end of that period, the company can either allow the lease to expire or enter into the initial 25-year lease term with an option for two ten-year renewals.
- Approved a lease with Carbolytic Materials Company, which plans to use facilities at Northwest's Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship as a base for research and development activities associated with the extraction of ApexCMTM (a carbon black replacement material) and combustible oil and gas from shredded automotive tires.
C arbon black, which has a wide range of applications in the rubber and plastics industry, is currently produced through the incomplete combustion of oil and natural gas, and CMC's use of scrap tires will have a significantly positive environmental impact. In addition to basing its R&D operations at the center, located on the Northwest campus, CMC is also building a 20,000-square-foot plant in Maryville that will have the capacity to process more than 15,000 tons of scrap tires annually. - Elected Regent Lydia Hurst to serve as vice president of the Board of Regents. She replaces former Regent Don Schneider, who resigned following the end of his term. Hurst, of Tarkio, was appointed in 2003 and holds a bachelor's degree in marketing from Northwest. She serves as manager of The Flower Mill and is a family partner in The Hurst Farms.
- Adopted a resolution honoring Vice President of Finance of Support Services Ray Courter, who will retire June 30, for 37 years of service to the University. The board also voted by acclamation to name College Park Pavilion in Courter's honor. Dedicated Friday, June 26, during ceremonies attended by more than 200 faculty, staff and friends of the University, the facility is now known as the Raymond J. Courter College Park Pavilion.
- Adopted resolutions honoring Head Tennis Coach Mark Rosewell and Head Women's Basketball Coach Gene Steinmeyer for 800 and 500 career wins, respectively.
- Requested staff to submit a list of proposed capital projects to the Missouri Department of Higher Education for possible funding under the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Submitted projects include a new academic building, renovation of the Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building, renovation of Wells Hall, renovation of Brown Education Hall and new infrastructure for the University's alternative fuel operation.
- Approved creation of a project assistant for positive behavior support position within the Northwest Regional Professional Development Center, which serves public school educators in 15 northwest Missouri counties. The position is fully funded through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
For more information, please contact:
Mark Hornickel, Media Relations Specialist
mhorn@nwmissouri.edu | 660.562.1704 | Fax: 660.562.1900
Northwest Missouri State University
215 Administration Building | 800 University Drive | Maryville, MO 64468
