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K-State Today

May 10, 2018

University budget process continues for FY 2019

Submitted by Division of Communications and Marketing

At the end of the 2018 session, the Kansas legislature approved a partial restoration of the 2017 budget cuts, which provide slightly more than $3 million to the university. The next step in the budget process is submission of tuition proposals. 

The Board of Regents will have a first reading at the board's May 16 meeting and final action at the June 20 meeting. Tuition proposals will be posted on May 16 on the Kansas Board of Regents website. If approved, any tuition increase will be used in conjunction with the restored state funds to cover the following increased operating costs:

  • Fringe benefit rate increases.
  • Institutional scholarship cost increase.
  • Faculty promotions/professorial performance awards.
  • Base adjustment for 1.5 percent salary increase provided in Fiscal Year 2018.
  • Addition of two critical staff positions.

Similar to most institutions across the nation, our reliance on tuition revenue to finance our operations has increased during the past decade. We have experienced record graduation rates with declining enrollment in recent years. The subsequent loss of tuition revenue will require 5.72 percent, or approximately $15 million, in budget reductions for the university for Fiscal Year 2019. Based on this budgetary situation, there will be no centrally funded merit or cost of living salary adjustments or Targeted Faculty Salary Enhancements next year. 

It has been reported by the media that raises were included for state employees, however, this excludes state universities. Only specific groups of employees were given increases, including the Judicial Branch staff, corrections officers and staff members on the state pay matrix who did not receive a raise in the 2017 pay plan.

In order to limit the reduction impact on our colleges, the university is implementing differential budget reductions. University institutional units will receive a 7.27 percent budget reduction. All colleges will receive a 4.85 percent base budget reduction. Deans and vice presidents will be responsible for implementing these reductions within their areas before the beginning of the fiscal year. The College of Veterinary Medicine and K-State Polytechnic are excluded from these reductions as they manage their own tuition revenues. 

Looking ahead, the university is partnering with Huron Consulting Group to develop a comprehensive strategic enrollment management plan to support enrollment growth, retention and improved overall student success at Kansas State University.