WKU Regents Approve $329 Million Budget, Tuition For 2008-09

June 27, 2008

Bowling Green, Ky. - The Western Kentucky University Board of Regents today approved a $329,557,000 budget for 2008-09. The Board also approved a 2008-09 tuition schedule that revises its previous recommendation for in-state undergraduate tuition from a 9 percent increase to 8 percent.
           
“This has been a difficult and challenging process,” WKU President Gary Ransdell said. WKU’s base budget was reduced by $5 million to reflect a 6 percent reduction in state funding.
           
“None of the 6 percent budget reduction was offset by tuition,” Dr. Ransdell said. “The increase in tuition will be used to help cover unavoidable cost increases and to continue limited funding for strategic initiatives such as Honors College, Study Abroad programs, and a continued commitment to regional campuses in Owensboro and Hardin County, all totaling more than $8.8 million,” he said.
           
The 2008-09 budget includes a $500 increase in base salary for all full-time employees. Dr. Ransdell said university administration elected to propose the $500 for each employee instead of a 1 percent increase because “we had such limited capacity. We thought this would have a bigger impact on those at the lower end of the salary pool.”
           
“It is disappointing that we cannot provide more,” he said.
           
Other budget and tuition highlights include:

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