USI Board of Trustees approves 2019-2021 biennial budget request

At its regular meeting on Thursday, September 6, the University of Southern Indiana Board of Trustees reviewed and approved the 2019-2021 Operating and Capital Improvement Budget Request that will be submitted to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (ICHE).

The operating budget was developed using the performance funding metrics created by the ICHE. In addition to increases in overall degree competition, at-risk degree completion, student persistence and on-time graduation rate, USI will be eligible to receive funding for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) degree completion. If the metrics are funded at the levels recommended by ICHE, the University would receive more than $4.4 million for improved performance.

In its 2017-19 Capital Improvement Budget Request, USI received board approval to renovate and expand the Health Professions Center. This $48 million proposed project will improve classrooms, laboratories, student study space and technology infrastructure across all three floors of the center. As part of these improvements, the Student Health Center would be moved to a new facility for University Health Services, Counseling and Wellness.

Additional components of the 2019-2021 budget request include a small increase in funding for Historic New Harmony, and continued funding for Campus Security Enhancements, STEM Innovation and Expansion Initiative, Strong Start Summer Bridge Program, Dual Credit and funding for general repair and rehabilitation of campus facilities.

In other business, the Board of Trustees approved housing and meal plan rates for the 2019-2020 school year and approved the distribution of 2018-2019 general repair and rehabilitation funds for campus improvements.