TERRE HAUTE —
Reluctantly, Indiana State University trustees approved a budget request that could reduce ISU’s state operating appropriation by nearly $3.4 million in the 2013-15 biennial budget.
ISU is submitting the budget request per state instructions, part of a performance-based funding formula recommended by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education.
But in a separate motion, trustees also expressed “serious reservations” about the possible cut during their Friday meeting.
As part of that motion, they instructed trustee president Randy Minas to submit an accompanying letter expressing trustees’ belief that the state appropriation should not drop below current levels.
“I think it will be really difficult for us to absorb that $3.4 million cut,” said Mike Alley, an unpaid special advisor to trustees. He is on a leave of absence from the board to serve as commissioner of the Indiana Department of Revenue.
Such a reduction, if ultimately approved by the legislature, would reduce ISU’s state operating appropriation to slightly more than $64 million.
Diann McKee, ISU vice president for business affairs, said that over the past few biennial budgets, ISU has lost at least $10 million in state funding. At one point, it was about $77 million, and currently it is at $67 million. “We’ve seen quite a dramatic decline in state funding over the last six or seven years,” she said.
Now, ISU is looking at the possibility of an additional $3.4 million reduction to its state operating appropriation.
The funding formula, approved by the commission in August, is a recommendation to the General Assembly for 2013-15.
Under the formula, each of the seven public colleges and universities contributes a portion of its appropriation (6 percent in fiscal year 2014 and 7 percent in 2015) to a performance-based funding pool. The money is then reallocated back to the institutions based on performance in seven areas.
The formula assumes no new funding for higher education.
The performance criteria include overall degree completion; at-risk student degree completion; student persistence; on-time graduation rates (all colleges) and other factors.
ISU is concerned the formula uses older data that doesn’t reflect its current progress.
McKee emphasized the commission has made a recommendation, and it’s the first step in a long process will not conclude until the end of the 2013 legislative session.
Ultimately, the legislature approves state funding levels for the colleges.
But ISU trustees remain concerned — enough that they instructed Minas to submit the letter to the commission along with the budget request.
Trustee Ed Pease made the motion that trustees “express serious reservations regarding the budget request which results from CHE guidance and instructs the president of the board to request a budget of not less than current state operating appropriations for ISU.”
Alley suggested that when the budget goes before the legislature, ISU should also advocate that current funding levels be maintained.
Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.
Local & Bistate
ISU could be looking at less state funding
- Local & Bistate
-
-
Relic from another age: Massive find
A mastodon that lived in the Wabash Valley thousands of years ago is making big news today.
-
Game Over: Financial tightening causes VCSC to drop St. Patrick’s from athletic schedule
St. Patrick’s School athletic teams will not have an opportunity to compete against their Vigo County School Corp. middle school counterparts next year.
-
Katelyn Newell finally at home
After nearly five months, 8-year-old Katelyn Newell finally returned home Thursday evening — with a new heart.
-
Indiana State U. Police officer honored with Artz Award
Thursday was a special day for Indiana State University Police Officer Christopher Heleine in multiple ways.
-
City Council considering three for consultant
Three different tax professionals vied Thursday for a chance to become a “financial consultant” to the Terre Haute City Council.
-
Clay County sheriff warns of bank card scam
The Clay County Sheriff’s Department has received information regarding a scam targeting residents, according to a news release from the sheriff’s department.
-
State Police seek help with Sullivan County homicide
Indiana State Police detectives from the Putnamville Post are seeking help from the public with the nearly six-month investigation into the death of 85-year-old Lowell R. Badger, a rural Sullivan County farmer.
-
Man who attacked Vigo deputy arrested
A Terre Haute man accused of attacking a Vigo County sheriff’s deputy earlier this week is facing felony charges in the Vigo County jail.
-
INDOT to bid final 641 phase
The final construction phase of the 641 bypass is scheduled to let for bids on Dec. 11, according to the Indiana Department of Transportation.
-
District office moves north
The Southwest District office of the Purdue Extension service has been moved north from Vincennes to Terre Haute.
-
Day is done…
The sun sets Thursday evening as seen from south of Terre Haute.
-
PHOTO UPDATE: I-5 bridge collapses in Northwest Washington; people in water
An Interstate 5 bridge over a river north of Seattle collapsed Thursday evening, dumping vehicles and people into the water, the Washington State Patrol said.
-
UPDATE: I-70 lanes in Putnam County now open
The west-bound lanes of Interstate 70 re-opened Thursday evening after being temporarily closed due to a crash near the Greencastle/Cloverdale exit.
-
22-hospital St. Vincent Health cutting jobs
INDIANAPOLIS — One of Indiana’s largest health systems says it’s cutting an undisclosed number of jobs by June 30 because of increasing economic and competitive pressure on the health care industry.
-
Update: Cleanup from overturned truck in Greene County continues
Fuel spillage from the dump truck hauling gravel that overturned this morning in Greene County at Indiana 54 and County Road 725 East near Ridgeport continues to restrict traffic to one lane.
-
17-pound bone found during Vigo flood cleanup
TERRE HAUTE — Crews cleaning up from Wabash River flooding in Vigo County came across a 17-pound bone that they believe might have come from an ancient mastodon.
-
Duke Energy gives $10K to Wabash Valley Red Cross for Vigo flood relief
Duke Energy is giving $10,000 to the Wabash Valley Red Cross chapter for flood relief from this spring’s heavy rains.
-
I-70 Frye Road overpass contract awarded; construction to begin May 28
The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced the Interstate-70 Frye Road overpass contract was awarded to Halverson Construction Co. Inc. from Springfield, Ill., for $317,166.
-
Banks of the Wabash Festival is more than just yearly entertainment
Pioneers think counterintuitively. Where others see widespread apathy, they focus on the possibility for progress. In a way, the 2013 Year of the River celebration began in the 1970s.
-
Planning session aims to better Terre Haute
It’s not yet clear what will come of it, but dozens of community leaders spent the whole day Wednesday trying to develop a plan – or collection of plans – to make Terre Haute “a better community.”
-
Education funding boost won’t benefit all schools
In the budget bill passed by the General Assembly last month, there is more money allocated for K-12 education over the next two years, but that doesn’t mean every school will get more dollars.
- Day of Action job options open
-
Park Board renames land around Memorial Stadium
Land surrounding Indiana State University’s Memorial Stadium on Terre Haute’s east side has been designated as Veterans Memorial Park, following a unanimous vote Wednesday from the Terre Haute Park Board.
-
Deputy suffers minor injury during incident
A Vigo County Sheriff’s deputy received a minor injury to his hand Tuesday night while subduing a drunken driving suspect who fled behind a North Terre Haute business.
-
Man accused of child neglect gets new trial date
An Oct. 15 trial date has been set for a Terre Haute man arrested in November for child neglect after he and his wife allegedly tied up and confined their adopted children in the family home.
-
Police find meth labs, arrest Pierson Township man
Police uncovered two active methamphetamine labs in southeastern Vigo County on Monday, leading to the arrest of a Pierson Township man.
-
New date set for attempted murder trial
A new trial date has been set for a Terre Haute woman charged with attempted murder.
-
Illinois Senate approves sex education bill
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A proposal that revamps sex education in Illinois public schools to include information about contraception and sexually transmitted diseases has cleared the state Senate.
-
Gregg pondering 2nd run for Indiana governor
INDIANAPOLIS — Former Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Gregg is pondering another run at the state's top job, but has yet to make a decision.
-
Illinois senator apologizes for Nazi remark
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois Sen. Donne Trotter has apologized for remarks that compared a member of Gov. Pat Quinn’s cabinet to a Nazi.
- More Local & Bistate Headlines
-
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo
Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense
Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Raw: 80-Year-Old Climbs Mount Everest
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Chain-Reaction School Bus Crash Injures About 50
Wash. State Man Arrested Following Ricin Scare
Oklahoma Family Reflects on Lost Son
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
