Wednesday, April 14, 1999
NKU president defends budget
BY KRISTINA GOETZ
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS — Balance is the word that best describes Northern Kentucky University's budget for the next academic year.
“This budget represents a multipriority approach,” NKU President James Votruba said Tuesday as he presented a breakdown of the $82.7 million budget for 1999-2000 to faculty and staff.
“We've had 10 years of unfunded growth, and I want you to know I recognize that. If we decide to grow, we'll grow based on funding. ... And a greater percentage of balance will enhance the student experience here in the next year than anything else,” Dr. Votruba said.
NKU's board of regents passed the budget earlier this month.
Dr. Votruba said the approach that went into the budgeting process was to strengthen the school's foundation while investing in its future.
“One of the major challenges is, how do we balance a decade of unfunded growth?” he said. “How do you distribute (money) to take care of the past while taking care of the future?”
One way is through trade-offs.
Although there was only a 2 percent increase in faculty raises this year, there was a 16 percent increase in the in structional operating budget.
“We are putting a lot of money into the success of students,” Dr. Votruba said. He said it is a student-centered budget, “and it will have a profound impact on the student experience at NKU.”
One way the university plans to do this is by hiring 10 full-time faculty members and by a 10 percent increase in part-time faculty salaries.
Students will see the effect of this decision right away, said Provost Paul Gaston.
“There will be more of a likelihood that they will be taught by a tenured or a tenure-track faculty member,” he said. “That faculty member has a full-time commitment to the university and to the student. That's important.”
The university is also earmarking money for a science and math program that will receive $4.5 million.
And the Invest for Success program, paid for by student fees, will receive about $1.3 million over the two-year implementation period. Under this program, the university will provide more academic advisers, mentors and tutors, as well as money for student organizations.
“If you come to NKU, we will do more to support your success than any other university,” Dr. Votruba said.
NKU is allocating money for student scholarships — $100,000 for students scoring a 22 or better on the ACT — and $60,000 in scholarships for graduate and law school students.
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