Western Illinois University Budget Update - Jack Thomas, President

As we look ahead to Fiscal Year 2014, we once again face uncertainty in the funding for higher education. Collectively, we must continue to work together during these difficult times. The state reimbursement owed to Western for the current fiscal year totals $47.1 million ($41.9 million payroll and $5.2 million from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for MAP grants). We must continue to limit spending for immediate and essential operational needs only, and all purchases more than $500 must continue to be submitted for vice presidential approval. We realize that funds are needed to ensure the success of our programs. Therefore, the budget office has loaded the final 25 percent of the campus operating budgets. We again ask that these funds are utilized for essential needs only. As we examine options to further conserve resources, we welcome your participation in identifying ways to decrease our costs, while providing resources and programs to our students. The FY'14 budget process has started and all indications suggest that higher education may see another reduction in funding. This, coupled with pending discussions regarding pension costs, requires us to be even more fiscally conservative in our decisions. http://www.wiu.edu/news/newsrelease.php?release_id=10474