President Engstrom used the University Council meeting on Thursday, April 18, 2013 to discuss budget issues and concerns on campus.
The discussion was composed of three major parts:
1. Context
2. The Budget Problem: Data
3. Steps/Timeline
President Engstrom
1. Context
Enrollment drop- In 2013 we saw fewer students in Fall and Spring semesters. Two years ago there was inequity in per-student funding; enrollment was growing, but there was no monetary adjustment for the growth. MSU was declining at that time, now they are growing -- we have switched places. Graduate and doctorate program enrollment have remaining about the same from 2008-201. Undergraduate have dropped in the last 2 years. Missoula College has slightly increased its enrollment in the last 2 years. UM peaked in 2011 in resident enrollment and has seen a decrease in resident enrollment (WUE has affected this). First time degree-seeking freshman has decreased 500 students since 200. UM has seen a multi-year trend; we are losing market-share to MSU
2. The Budget Problem (Slide presentation can be found here)
Budget $450,000,000
1/3 of these funds are state appropriated, 2/3 tuition and fees
$152,000,000: Revenue estimated for FY14
Possible pay plan increase of 3% is not yet finalized in the Legislature
Possible tuition increase for non-resident students
Budget decisions should be made by May 10
How do we spend our money at UM?
a. Instruction is about ½ of budget
- Student services
Ratios
Historically, MSU has more investment in faculty/students
3. Steps/Timeline (Actions taken)
$1,000,000 will go towards towards recruiting new freshmen
Website renovation
Facebook ads and updating
Increased financial aid
Increased contacts with prospective students
New brand/messaging
Name buys
Beyond recruiting:
Right programs: more money will go into attractive and/or new programs. As an example, Communicative Studies
Financially attractive
Attractive campus
Things that have affected us as a campus:
- Recognizing what attracts students to us
- Bad publicity
Open Discussion/ Q&A:
Mark LeParco suggested that administration have the conversation with groups such as Administrators Council in the Fall re: shortfall and possible solutions to shortfall…
Darlene Sampson: suggested involving Staff Senate and Faculty Senate in these discussions
Juana Alcala talked with the group about enrollment/recruitment efforts
Federal and state funding is down across the nation so all Universities and higher education facilities are competing for less funding
Marketing/Recruiting Efforts Nationwide:
UM spends about $517 per student
Most public institutions spend about $907 per student
Private institutions spend about $2000 per student
Increase in international recruiting efforts
Engage families in recruitment process
Make personal contact
Open houses
Look into investing in scholarships for lower socio-economic groups, changing demographics
A Missoula College representative asked: Are we increasing efforts to 2 year programs as well?
J- answered: Yes, opening markets for states like WA,CA,CO, and ID (WUE enrollment)