YSU Official presents a budget full of 'ifs'

The costs of two master's programs is being increased.
By JoANNE VIVIANO
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- If the state Legislature gives Youngstown State University the $41.1 million recommended by the Ohio Senate, if the university is allowed to increase tuition 9.5 percent and if at least 12,474 students enroll, YSU will have balanced its budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
Terry Ondreyka, vice president for financial affairs, acknowledges there are a lot of "ifs" in the $131.8 million budget he presented to a board of trustees committee Thursday.
That's why he included a $1.4 million contingency reserve.
The total budget is $4.6 million higher than 2003, due, in part, to the contingency funds.
Included are a general fund budget of $11.6 million and auxiliary budget of $15.8 million. Items in the auxiliary fund are self supporting. General funds come primarily from state money and student charges.
The finance and facilities committee approved the budget Thursday, showing total personnel costs rising 3.66 percent, to $83.5 million. It now goes before the full board for approval.
Cutting expenses
General fund expenses were trimmed in other ways, Ondreyka said.
UThe elimination of 27 full-time positions carved out $1.3 million; $80,000 was saved by freezing the salaries of executive staff; $220,000 total was cut from budgets for athletics, Kilcawley Center and utilities; and another $1.7 million was trimmed from operating expenses.
UAmong the operating expense cuts, the budget for equipment and library acquisitions was cut by 22.3 percent; course and other supplies budgets were cut 6.5 percent; student aid and awards were cut 4.5 percent; and maintenance budgets were cut by 3.1 percent.
The state Senate plan offers YSU $41.1 million. The House offers $38.3 million, but both would reduce the state funds from what was received in 2003 -- $41.5 million.
The Legislature is also considering a tuition cap of 6 percent.
YSU trustees have already approved a 9.5-percent increase. Student charges are expected to bring in about $70 million.
Amending expected
Ondreyka said he expects the budget will be amended.
In fiscal 2003, the university's budget was amended at least twice as the state scaled back revenue by $3.8 million throughout the budget year.
Ondreyka showed changes in state support over the years.
In 1999, the state paid 53 percent of the university's budget; he expects it to pay 41 percent in 2004. Tuition and fees make up the rest.
Also Thursday, the committee approved a 9.5-percent increase in tuition and fees for students in the Master of Public Health program, effective with the current summer term. Cost, as approved by the MPH Academic Counsel in May, is $368 per credit hour.
There has also been a $5,000 increase in the fee paid by graduate students in the Executive Master of Business Administration program, beginning in the fall.
The new fee is $26,000 for the two-year program.
The increase does not require board approval.