Although the state legislature has restored some past cuts to higher education, Kansas State University announced Thursday it’s still preparing for budget cuts totaling $15 million, according to a statement by the university’s Division of Communications and Marketing via K-State Today.

K-State cited decreases in enrollment as a factor.

“Similar to most institutions across the nation, our reliance on tuition revenue to finance our operations has increased during the past decade,” the post said. “We have experienced record graduation rates with declining enrollment in recent years. The subsequent loss of tuition revenue will require 5.72 percent, or approximately $15 million, in budget reductions for the university for Fiscal Year 2019.”

It added, “Based on this budgetary situation, there will be no centrally funded merit or cost of living salary adjustments or Targeted Faculty Salary Enhancements next year.”

K-State lined out where some of those cuts may be seen.

According to KSU, university institutional units will receive a 7.27 percent budget reduction. All colleges will receive a 4.85 percent base budget reduction.

“Deans and vice presidents will be responsible for implementing these reductions within their areas before the beginning of the fiscal year,” the statement reads. “The College of Veterinary Medicine and K-State Polytechnic are excluded from these reductions as they manage their own tuition revenues.”

The Kansas legislature approved a partial restoration of budget cuts to high education issued in 2016 recently, which will provide slightly more than $3 million to the university.

K-State says the Board of Regents will have a first reading of tuition proposals at the board’s May 16 meeting and final action at the June 20 meeting. Tuition proposals will be posted on May 16 on the Kansas Board of Regents website. If approved, any tuition increase will be used in conjunction with the restored state funds to cover the following increased operating costs:

  • Fringe benefit rate increases.
  • Institutional scholarship cost increase.
  • Faculty promotions/professorial performance awards.
  • Base adjustment for 1.5 percent salary increase provided in Fiscal Year 2018.
  • Addition of two critical staff positions.

K-State also clarified recent news concerning raises passed by the legislature for state employees.

“It has been reported by the media that raises were included for state employees, however, this excludes state universities. Only specific groups of employees were given increases, including the Judicial Branch staff, corrections officers and staff members on the state pay matrix who did not receive a raise in the 2017 pay plan.”

KSU says it is partnering with Huron Consulting Group to help reverse enrollment trends.

The post K-State: $15M in budget cuts still expected for FY2019 appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

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