If you are having a hard time understanding the RWC budget, you are not alone. The following are some facts concerning the budget and suggestions for students on how we can help. As announced at the Dean’s Forum on Thursday, the budget for next year will be $28,500,000, which is lower than this past year’s budget of $29,100,000.
So why is the upcoming year’s budget lower? There are many factors involved, but one of the main concerns is a drop in enrollment for this upcoming year, a projected four percent at this time.
Another concern is the State’s current discussions on the ability for universities to raise tuition. Recently Assistant Dean Gene Kramer Sr. explained that currently the State has not made a final decision for the upcoming year on whether or not it will allow universities to raise tuition. As such UC has not officially declared its tuition rate for next year. As far as the budget is concerned, the College is left in a state of limbo, where a decision could mean an increase in monies received, which would help RWC.
Assistant Dean Kramer also explained that he expects to see, as is normal, an increase in utilities such as gas, electric, and water. That, of course, will not help the budget situation.
On a beneficial note, the fee that RWC pays to the University to use such vital things as the UC legal department, the President, and other valuable assets, is not as much as was originally asked for by the University. RWC will pay $1,682,020 this upcoming year for those services, which may be more than last year, but much less than the original requested fee of $2,070,722.
However, Assistant Dean Kramer said that services will not be cut this upcoming year because of the budget. In fact, he added, students should see “better service, an upgrade in technology on the 2nd floor of Muntz from the summer renovation, and wireless.”
He made mention that the new wireless technology to be installed on campus will cost approximately $40,000, with 25 access points, and will cover 2/3 of the first floor of Muntz as well as selected spots on the 3rd floor for students.
If you’re concerned about the costs of higher education and would like to make a difference, there is a simple way to help. Treat the College as if it was your own home (and if you don’t treat that well, then the home of a friend).
The costs of upkeep on the college will always be present but students can especially help by being considerate and showing common courtesy for the buildings. For example, don’t write anywhere you please; it costs money and time to clean and paint over graffitied bathrooms and desks.
And be thoughtful of what marks you are leaving on the walls as you wait for class.
If you made it this far, hopefully you’ll understand our budget and expenses and maybe some ways that you can help keep those costs down.