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BOT Approves FY20 All Funds Budget, FY21 Budget Request

October 4, 2019

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MACOMB, IL -- The Western Illinois University Board of Trustees approved a Fiscal Year 2020 All-Funds Budget at its Oct. 4 Board meeting on the Macomb campus. This budget assumes a state appropriation of $49.6 million for FY20. The University's total operating budget for FY20 is $210.6 million, which is nearly $20 million less than FY19's All Funds Budget.*

"We have reviewed the institution's budget very closely, and we have put additional measures in place to ensure we were decreasing our expenditures," Interim President Martin Abraham said. "It is critical that we reduce spending, and I'm pleased that we're on the correct path for Fiscal Year 2020. If we continue to be fiscally conservative, it is possible we could come in under budget for FY20. I know there have been great sacrifices made to reduce our expenditures. I appreciate the work our faculty, staff and many others have done and continue to do. I am optimistic that we are moving in the right direction for a brighter future for Western."

The Board also approved the Fiscal Year 2021 appropriated operating budget and capital budget requests, which will be presented to the Illinois Board of Higher Education, the General Assembly and Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The Board approved a FY21 appropriated operating budget increase request of $18.3 million. Western's current FY20 state appropriation is $49.6 million.

The proposed appropriated operating budget includes $2.25 million to support salary and cost increases and approximately $16 million for program priorities (enrollment/retention/student success initiatives, student financial aid, restoration of budget reduction, infrastructure improvements/enhancements, STEM and high demand program investments and WIU-Quad Cities student services operations).

"We look forward to working with Gov. Pritzker, our area legislators and all members of the General Assembly to keep Western Illinois University and Illinois public higher education at the forefront," Abraham added.

The Board approved the FY21 capital budget request of $283.9 million. The capital request includes the WIU-Macomb Science Building Phase II renovation, $66.7 million; Tillman Hall renovation, $31 million; WIU-QC Phase III construction, $42.3 million; Stipes Hall renovation, $53.3 million; and WIU-Macomb Education Building construction, $90.6 million.

The Center for the Performing Arts remains on the capital re-appropriations list, and capital funds have also been appropriated for Phase I of the Science Building. The new building, which is proposed to be built on the campus' north side, will consolidate some of the science programs currently housed in Currens, Waggoner and Tillman halls. The tentative plan includes a combination of a new building and the potential renovation of Currens.

In addition, $24.3 million in capital renewal funds was approved for classroom modernizations, HVAC improvements, plumbing and electrical enhancement and sidewalk/drive/exterior stair renovations.

The Board also approved three contracts over $500,000 (see page 47-48 in Board materials at wiu.edu/bot), including a $2.8 million 10-year contract with Unifyed of Chicago for an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to modernize and increase efficiencies of the University's technology systems, which include student information systems for recruitment, retention and other enrollment functions, human resources, payroll and more. The system also includes a designated portal for students, including registration, grades, financial aid, etc.

In other business, the Board elected Doug Shaw as vice chair and Justin Brown as secretary, respectively; elected Kisha Lang to the State Universities Civil Service Merit Board and approved the first reading of an amended BOT regulation for use of University Facilities. The Board also voted to keep closed session meeting minutes and recordings closed until further determination (see pages 57-58 in Board materials at wiu.edu/bot); and approved the disposition of prior closed session meeting minutes per the Illinois Attorney General Public Access Counselor (page 59-60 in Board materials at wiu.edu/bot).

At the Thursday, Oct. 3 meeting, the Board appointed Acting President Martin Abraham as the interim president through June 30, 2020. Read more at wiu.edu/news.

The next meeting of the WIU Board of Trustees will be held Dec. 13 on the WIU-Macomb campus.

* Full budget information (All Funds, FY21 and Capital) can be found in Board materials at wiu.edu/bot.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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