Budget fears eased at forum
Corazon Riley and Stephanie Scalise
Issue date: 3/27/08 Section: News
Budget and enrollment continue to be prime items on NDNU's agenda. At the Community Forum March 25, the senior staff presented an update on next year's enrollment and its effect on NDNU's budget.
Vice President of Enrollment Hernan Bucheli made it clear that the budget directly relates to enrollment. Bucheli said he expects enrollment to improve next year. The total number of inquiries has increased by 27 percent and almost 800 incoming freshmen have applied.
Conservative enrollment goals for fall 2008 were set at 135 freshmen, 66 transfers, 42 intensive and evening, and 211 graduate students.
"We can all contribute (to retention)," said interim President Dr. Judith Greig. "Every student's interaction could affect a student's experience."
Improved enrollment will provide some leeway in next year's budget. According to Greig, the senior staff has tried to be very conservative and they have worked hard to guarantee jobs.
In the last edition of The Argonaut, Greig said that the closest thing to bankruptcy that school will face is financial exigency which could affect the positions of current faculty. Greig responded to community fears that staff and faculty layoffs are highly unlikely.
"We did suspend three faculty searches for next year; however, if all the positions that are currently authorized are filled, we will have a net increase of full-time faculty for next year," said Greig in a community update March 18.
Searches for faculty in the communications, psychology and special education departments have been postponed.
Pamela Kawaguchi, chief financial officer, presented the budget for the fiscal year 2009. She said that next year will end in a deficit, but budget cuts are being made. The only serious cut (11 percent) is in supplies, postage,and printing. She said the school is also trying to keep insurance low.
The senior staff is working on a contingency budget.
"We want to make plans now in case we don't make our goals for next year's enrollment," said Greig. "However, we are intending to go with our expected budget."
According to Kawaguchi, a five-year capital budget will be presented to the Board of Trustees.
The search process for the new president will be discussed at the next Community Forum on April 25.
Vice President of Enrollment Hernan Bucheli made it clear that the budget directly relates to enrollment. Bucheli said he expects enrollment to improve next year. The total number of inquiries has increased by 27 percent and almost 800 incoming freshmen have applied.
Conservative enrollment goals for fall 2008 were set at 135 freshmen, 66 transfers, 42 intensive and evening, and 211 graduate students.
"We can all contribute (to retention)," said interim President Dr. Judith Greig. "Every student's interaction could affect a student's experience."
Improved enrollment will provide some leeway in next year's budget. According to Greig, the senior staff has tried to be very conservative and they have worked hard to guarantee jobs.
In the last edition of The Argonaut, Greig said that the closest thing to bankruptcy that school will face is financial exigency which could affect the positions of current faculty. Greig responded to community fears that staff and faculty layoffs are highly unlikely.
"We did suspend three faculty searches for next year; however, if all the positions that are currently authorized are filled, we will have a net increase of full-time faculty for next year," said Greig in a community update March 18.
Searches for faculty in the communications, psychology and special education departments have been postponed.
Pamela Kawaguchi, chief financial officer, presented the budget for the fiscal year 2009. She said that next year will end in a deficit, but budget cuts are being made. The only serious cut (11 percent) is in supplies, postage,and printing. She said the school is also trying to keep insurance low.
The senior staff is working on a contingency budget.
"We want to make plans now in case we don't make our goals for next year's enrollment," said Greig. "However, we are intending to go with our expected budget."
According to Kawaguchi, a five-year capital budget will be presented to the Board of Trustees.
The search process for the new president will be discussed at the next Community Forum on April 25.
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