Another budget deficit not anticipated based on newest enrollment numbers
Based on the release of its most recent enrollment, Central Michigan University does not anticipate another budget deficit, said Vice President for Finance and Administrative Services Barrie Wilkes.
CMU’s listed enrollment for the Fall 2017 semester is 23,335 — about 4 percent less than Fall 2016 totals.
Lower than expected enrollment and state appropriations contributed to a $20 million budget shortfall for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 fiscal years for the university.
After CMU's Fall 2017 enrollment release, Wilkes said student credit hours decreased 1.6 percent more than predicted, calling it a manageable rate.
“We always every year match our revenues and expenses,” Wilkes said. “If revenues are slightly below budget, we just manage expenses so we can have a positive bottom-line for the university.”
Gov. Rick Snyder released his budget recommendations on Feb. 7 for the next fiscal year. Snyder’s proposed budget has fiscal year 2019 state appropriations at about $87 million for CMU.
Snyder included a tuition restraint language of 3.8 percent, which Wilkes said was expected. As part of Snyder’s proposed budget for fiscal years 2019 and 2020, universities will be required to limit any tuition increases they adopt to receive funding. The maximum increase equates to 3.8 percent, according to the budget.
Wilkes said CMU has usually been in the 2-2.5 percent range.
As for possible tuition increases for next year, Wilkes said it is too early to tell.
“Keeping the rate of tuition increases low has been a priority of the board and the administration,” Wilkes said.
