WKU News & Events

May 31, 2002

WKU Regents Approve $193 Million
Budget For 2002-03

Bowling Green, Ky. - The Western Kentucky University Board of Regents today approved a $193.2 million budget for 2002-03, contingent on an approved Kentucky biennial budget for 2002-04.

The total budget represents an 11.1 percent increase over the 2001-02 budget and is based on $70.4 million in state appropriation, a figure used in budgets considered by the state House of Representatives and the Senate.

"We are fortunate that we were able to grow our budget in a year when state funding is relatively flat," WKU President Gary Ransdell said. Much of that growth is possible because of the University's record enrollment, he said. Tuition and fees account for more than $50 million of the projected revenue.

The budget includes an average 4 percent pay increase for university employees, funded by an increase in tuition passed by regents in August 2001. Dr. Ransdell said the increase was the second largest among state universities.

Regent Earl Fischer of Dallas said the University "ought to take a lot of pride" in having the foresight in passing the tuition increase in anticipation of the state budget situation.

Regent Cornelius Martin of Bowling Green agreed. "Where would we be today if it weren't for that painful tuition increase?" Martin asked.

In other business, the Board:

· Gave Dr. Ransdell a favorable evaluation, citing achievement in several areas such as increasing enrollment, fundraising and endowments and in gaining state and national recognition by several programs. The Board approved a 5 percent salary increase for Dr. Ransdell.

· Approved the sale of property at Nashville Road and Campbell Lane to Hogan Real Estate for $1.3 million. The site is the current location of Western's Applied Physics Institute.

· Approved awarding an honorary doctorate to Dr. Frank Etscorn, a WKU graduate and inventor of the nicotine patch for smoking cessation. The doctorate will be awarded at a future commencement ceremony.

· Appointed Dr. Carol Crowe-Carraco and Dr. Kenneth Kuehn Distinguished University Professors. Dr. Crowe-Carraco is a professor of history and Dr. Kuehn is a professor of geology.

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