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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — Marshall University officials are expected to vote this week on a proposed budget plan and tuition increase for fiscal year 2017.
According to Mary Ellen Heuton, Marshall's chief financial officer and vice president of finance, the school's Board of Governors will have the chance to vote Wednesday on a $119 million budget proposal that includes a 5 percent tuition hike, The Herald-Dispatch (http://bit.ly/28YpPh8) reported.
Marshall received an allocation of $45.9 million for its general revenue fund following state lawmakers' budget debate over fiscal year 2017, which begins July 1, Heuton said. That's about $554,000 more than anticipated.
"Just having the budget — a budget — is a huge relief compared to what we were worried about a few weeks ago," Heuton said. "Now, it's about getting the year started, but continuing to look at ways to increase revenue and manage costs."
As of December, the university had lost $11.5 million in annual funding from the state since 2013, and more budget shortfalls are expected for fiscal year 2018, which begins July 1, 2017.
Leaving open vacant positions, holding off on classroom renovations and delaying purchases of certain items and equipment are all ways Marshall is looking to save money.
Those efforts will continue, Heuton said, with an emphasis on ensuring no faculty or staff are laid off as a result.
"I think if everybody keeps working together to find way to get revenue and cut costs, we will find ways to keep moving forward," Heuton said.
West Virginia's Republican-led Legislature passed a tax hike-dependent budget on June 14 for the next fiscal year, ending a 17-day special session. Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin approved the bill on June 17.
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Information from: The Herald-Dispatch, http://www.herald-dispatch.com
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