At the last Dean’s Forum of the 2006-07 academic year, RWC Dean Dolores Straker let everyone know why this year’s college budget is so different from last year’s.First, she said, there is some work that has to be done in the Flory Center ($55,000) and the Annex ($200,000) when it comes to the security system. The integration of the security system is key, she said, especially with recent events like the Virginia Tech massacre, and the work is costing quite a bit to revamp the system in both areas.
With Miami University and Sinclair Community College expanding their reach in RWC’s direction, there is also a threat to enrollment, the Dean said, especially considering the difference in tuition costs. (Sinclair is charging only $78.50/credit hour compared to RWC’s rate of $146/credit hour for in-state students.)
The Dean said that the number of confirmed students is down for this coming fall, not a good sign. The College needs to consider how it presents itself to the public in regards to trying to boost enrollment for next year and the following years.
To try to help the budget, three projects were moved to another part of the budget, the Dean explained. The technology upgrade to the second floor of Muntz Hall, the 40-year-old boiler that needs replaced, and the parking lot repair projects were all moved to another section of the budget.
Though this may help, the budget is still under scrutiny as to how it can be changed for the better, she said. She referred to it as a floating budget, so there’s still reason to hope for the best.