Legislature boosts WVU revenues

BYLINE: J. Miles Layton, The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.

Mar. 20--The Legislature approved a budget Sunday that provides more money for WVU, and higher education in general. The package includes a proposed 3.5-percent raise for faculty and staff. Some want to see higher raises, which could mean a tuition increase, they say.

If Gov. Joe Manchin signs the bill into law, WVU will receive $110,103,306 for fiscal year 2007, which begins July 1 -- about a $5 million increase over last year's state allocation of $105,336,051, according to Brian Noland, chancellor of the Higher Education Policy Committee.

The state allocation provides only a portion of WVU's revenues. The university also gets money from tuition, fees, grants and other sources.

"This is one of the best budgets for higher education in recent memory," Noland said. "Not only does it advance access opportunities for students through need-based financial aid, there are pronounced and significant investments in the research enterprise at WVU and Marshall."

Manchin proposed a $109,831 allocation for WVU, while both houses of the Legislature proposed about $105 million. The Legislature finally OK'd more than Manchin proposed.

"That's part of the give and take process in the Legislature," Noland said.

WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr. said he is pleased with the governor's proposal.

"We're very grateful for the governor proposing a budget increase, and for the work of our legislative delegation," Hardesty said.

The higher-education budget for all state universities and community colleges increased from $411,566,880 to $451,915,472 -- about a $40 million increase.

"This was a great budget for all of higher education, not just WVU or any specific institution," Noland said. "Overall, the budget provides operating increases, salary increases and more money for financial aid. It is a budget that is consistent with the policy recommendations brought forward by the policy commission, and we applaud Gov. Manchin and the Legislature for the lasting investment that they made in higher education this session."

Noland said the higher-education budget highlights include $5 million more for the day-to-day operations of all state institutions; $6.6 million for salaries for staff and faculty; and $7.5 million in new investments in the state's need-based financial aid program. While the details are being worked out, Noland said, there is a plan to provide a 3.5-percent salary increase for state workers.

"Our hope is that institutions have the latitude to go above a 3.5-percent salary increase," he said. "The funding that this budget provides sets the stage for many institutions to have the opportunity to fully fund the classified staff salary schedule. We're still waiting for clarification from the governor, but we're hopeful that salaries can be increased above this mark."

Noland said faculty salaries will also be increased.

Michael Lastinger, faculty representative to the Board of Governors, said increasing faculty salaries should be a priority.

"It's not only a question of faculty morale, it's a question of recruitment of the highest quality of professionals that will ensure the future of this institution as the flagship university in West Virginia," he said. "In general terms, we are 15 to 20 percent below our peer averages at other Research I institutions."

Paul Martinelli, classified staff representative to the Board of Governors, said the state is not providing enough money for salaries, and the university will have to provide money for employees working in self-sustaining auxiliary units -- such as the athletic department -- who are not being subsidized with state funds.

"This means there will be stress on the budget to provide a salary increase for all employees, and there could be less money available," he said.

That's where a tuition increase could come in. It would supplement WVU's revenues to cover salary increases, he said.

"I think with other funds the university may generate and with the money we will get from the state," he said, "plus any tuition increases, will result in the classified staff getting one of the better increases in recent memory."

WVU's Strategic Plan calls for a yearly 5.5-percent tuition increase until 2010. State law allows the Board of Governors to approve a tuition increase of up to 7.5 percent. In-state tuition is about $4,476 a year, so a 5.5-percent increase would be $246.18. A 7.5-percent increase in tuition would be about $335.70.

Martinelli said raising salaries would be a part of Hardesty's legacy.

"I think Hardesty will put the seal on his presidency by providing faculty and staff with one of the best salary increases we've seen," he said. "Everything is predicated on faculty and staff getting a 3.5-percent pool of money dedicated for salary increases."

Lang said the Board of Governors would decide whether to approve any tuition increase at its next meeting April 13. The budget is still being analyzed regarding salaries, tuition increases and other issues.

"It is too early to comment, as the budget was just passed and we have not yet had time to analyze the impact on the institution's budget," he said.

Former Student Government Association President Jason Gross is serving as a member of the Board of Governors until June, so he will get to vote on any proposed tuition increase. Gross will be meeting with the current SGA President David Kirkpatrick to discuss the tuition issue later this week.

"I realize that tuition increases are necessary, but I'm interested to see what type of percentage the administration is putting forward. I hope that any increase is reasonable, because we are receiving more money from the state this year," Gross said.

Hardesty said the state allocation money is an investment in the future.

"I called Chancellor Noland this morning and thanked him for his excellent work during the legislative session," Hardesty said. "I think investing in the university is the most important investment the people of West Virginia can make at this time."

The proposed budget offers $10 million for Research Challenge, a grant program that provides funding for research and economic development. The money will be competitively distributed between faculty at WVU and Marshall.

"The $10 million in research is probably the biggest one-time investment in research in almost 20 years," Noland said. "This money will provide start-up funding as our institutions look to diversify their research portfolios. WVU talks a lot about research. They just got a great shot in the arm."

John Weete, vice president for research and economic development at WVU, is pleased with the proposed increase in research funding. One of the objectives of this program is to provide research that will contribute to economic development.

"I think a lot of people worked hard to get this money, and the state is beginning to support the research effort that in turn is going to translate into economic development," Weete said. "The funding lasts several years so that you can have a sustained research effort."

Noland said the governor's staff is reviewing the proposed higher-education budget in a process that should be completed this week.

"The governor has to sign it all, but this is about as set in stone as it gets," Noland said.

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