Update on status of State of Kansas and WSU budgets

Because of the Kansas Supreme Court ruling on K-12 education funding, there is still uncertainty surrounding budget matters for the current and next fiscal years. This update is to share the information we have now.

Because of declining revenues at the state level, Gov. Brownback ordered a 4 percent reduction to our State General Fund appropriation, totaling more than $2.9 million in fiscal year 2016 (the current fiscal year). Last week we learned that the 4 percent budget reduction to the State General Fund appropriation for FY 2016 would most likely become permanent for FY 2017, which begins July 1, 2016.

As it relates to WSU, this makes reliance on the tuition and funded research sides of the budget even more important to us. As a campus, we need to focus on analyzing our expenditure patterns to accommodate this reduction, as well as reviewing assigned workloads and other fiscal responsibilities. The growth of other revenue is also critical to our future operations.

The university needs your ideas and support in addressing these funding challenges. Please give me a call or send an email with any suggestions you may have. Thank you for your interest and support in addressing these difficult issues.

Mary L. Herrin
Vice president for Administration and Finance
978-3030
Email: mary.herrin@wichita.edu