WKU Faces Budget Challenges Amid Overspending
Bowling Green, KY – Western Kentucky University (WKU) is dealing with significant budgetary concerns as various departments have reported overspending for the current fiscal year. During a recent Staff Senate meeting on Tuesday, President Timothy Caboni highlighted that the athletics department, the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, and the Enrollment and Student Experience department each exceeded their budgets for the fiscal year 2023-24. This has contributed to a troubling $11 million gap between the university’s revenue and expenses from the previous fiscal year, 2022-23.
Departments Called to Account
President Caboni noted that the departments which overspent will have to explain their spending to the Budget Executive Committee. They are currently gathering financial data from the past year to better understand the situation. “If you do that, you’re going to have to pay it back,” Caboni said, indicating the seriousness of the budgetary issues.
Although specific figures were not discussed, the president remarked that athletics would face particularly difficult questions about their financial management during a closed meeting. On a brighter note, he shared that the proposed budget for 2024-2025 is $4.3 million larger than the previous year.
A Revenue Growth Perspective
Caboni also pointed out that the university has brought in nearly $20 million in additional revenue over the past four years, which raises questions about where the budget problems are coming from. He clarified that WKU is not facing a broad budget issue but rather a spending challenge, which the university is actively working to rectify.
Changes to Employee Raises
A key point raised in the meeting was the university’s approach to employee raises. Previously, faculty and staff received an annual across-the-board raise of 2%. However, Caboni announced that this will change, as he aims to tie raises to performance evaluations going forward. He explained that a larger raise, such as a 5% increase, would indicate high performance, while a smaller raise, like 1%, might suggest there is room for improvement.
Enhancements for Staff and Faculty
In an effort to foster a positive work environment, Caboni also revealed that faculty and staff will receive five additional days of winter break this year. An email sent after the meeting reiterated the commitment to improving the work/life balance of WKU employees, emphasizing the university’s efforts to enhance the overall work environment.
Concerns Over Staff Shortages
Caboni acknowledged that the university’s staffing numbers have declined, particularly in clerical, skilled crafts, and service/maintenance areas. According to the WKU Fact Book, there have been losses of 89 clerical/secretarial employees, 21 skilled crafts employees, and 23 service/maintenance employees over the last four years. He attributed these changes to the evolving nature of work and advancements in technology, which have reduced the need for clerical roles.
Despite these staff shortages, Caboni assured the Senate that several service and maintenance positions are currently being advertised to fill the gaps. “We’re listening,” Caboni reassured the group. “The organization appreciates you, and we’re going to work hard to make sure that we meet your needs and the institution’s needs.”
The university is grappling with these challenges while trying to balance fiscal responsibility with the well-being of its students and employees. As WKU moves forward, the coming months will be critical for addressing these financial concerns and ensuring a sustainable future.
