YSU set for now; red lies ahead

Photo

YSU President David C. Sweet

Photo

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland (D-Lisbon)

By Harold Gwin

The budget looks good now but could wind up in the red, the president said.

YOUNGSTOWN — Spring enrollment at Youngstown State University is at 95 percent of the fall level, and that’s exactly where the university wanted to be, said President David C. Sweet.

"So, we made budget and a little more,” Sweet told the university’s Academic Senate on Wednesday, noting that, at the moment, YSU is about $1 million over the budgeted target for tuition revenue because of enrollment growth this year.

The university had 13,712 students enrolled last fall, up 215 from the previous year and the highest enrollment in 14 years.

Spring enrollment is right around 13,000.

But the rest of fiscal year 2009 has its challenges, Sweet said, predicting that the university’s operating budget could actually wind up in the red.

“We’re looking at a budget deficit,” he said, explaining that the university has experienced some reductions in funding and has some significant commitments it must meet.

Investment income is one example of declining revenue, he said, noting that interest earnings are $300,000 below budget estimates at this point.

The university has $684,000 in contractual obligations and utility costs continue to mount, he said.

State law prohibits deficit spending by the university and YSU will be making cuts to balance the budget before the fiscal year ends June 30, Sweet said.

A review committee has been established to look at every vacant position on campus, essentially putting a hold on filling those spots, he said. Requests to fill positions must be run through the review committee and be approved by the president, he said.

Right now there are 20 nonfaculty spots under review and the number could reach 40, he said.

The university is also looking at how it can be more efficient and reduce costs, Sweet said.

The financial challenges won’t end with June 30, he said, explaining that financial issues will continue into fiscal year 2010 and beyond.

Gov. Ted Strickland has proposed that Ohio’s public universities maintain a tuition freeze for a third year (fiscal 2010), offering a 6 percent boost in state assistance to the universities to help offset some rising costs, Sweet said. University officials have already said it will be a challenge to put together the 2010 budget.

The governor also wants a cap of 3.5 percent on any tuition increases enacted for fiscal year 2011 but isn’t offering any additional state aid to the universities for that year, Sweet said.

A 6 percent boost in state aid next year would mean about $3 million more to YSU. The state is contributing $49.5 million to the university this year. That’s one-third of the operating budget.

gwin@vindy.com