University of Central Missouri's Board of Governors Approves FY 2025 Operating Budget

By Alex Greenwood, May 9, 2024

 

WARRENSBURG, MO - The University of Central Missouri's Board of Governors approved the FY 2025 operating budget during a plenary session held on April 24 at the Missouri Innovation Campus in Lee’s Summit. The session also included the establishment of new degrees and certificates, as well as recognition of several students, faculty and staff.

 

The FY 2025 general fund anticipates $9.6 million in new revenue from sources such as tuition, state appropriations and investment income. This budget, contingent upon the final budget reconciliation in June, includes allocations for salary increases, facility enhancements and other operational needs without tapping into reserve funds.

 

The University of Central Missouri employs an incremental budgeting approach for its FY 2025 general fund. This involves rolling forward $3 million from FY 2024 one-time projects and distributing new revenues, estimated at $12.6 million, across various institutional priorities. These revenues include an expected $7.5 million from increased tuition due to higher credit hour production and a recent tuition adjustment, about $1.9 million from additional state appropriations as recommended in Governor Parson’s budget, and roughly $0.2 million from increased investment income.

 

The Auxiliary Enterprises operating budget for FY 2025, which includes the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, University Housing, University Union and other services, is set at $30.8 million.

 

New academic offerings approved by the board include an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Special Education. Additionally, undergraduate certificates in Agricultural Safety, Agritourism, Greenhouse Management and Precision Agriculture will be introduced in the Department of Agriculture to enhance vocational skills and workforce employment opportunities. These programs are subject to approval by the MDHEWD Coordinating Board and HLC.

 

In other decisions, the board awarded a $550,921 contract to Godard & Son Roofing Company Inc. for roof replacement at the Administration Building. It also expanded the Ellucian contract to include Talent Management Suite modules and entered a three-year agreement with Encoura for undergraduate recruitment services.

 

The board recognized numerous students, faculty and staff with awards and commendations for their achievements at UCM. The session also celebrated the contributions of university personnel, conferring emeritus status on three distinguished individuals for their dedicated service: Dr. Douglas Hatridge, former assistant director of the Central Regional Professional Development Center (RPDC), serving from June 2, 2003 to June 30, 2014; Mr. Jeff Murphy, director of University Communications, serving from September 11, 1989 to April 30, 2024; and Mr. Richard Wilbur, custodian, serving from December 3, 1998 to April 30, 2024.