Message from the Vice President for Finance and Administration

May 2012

The Legislative and Board budget actions are final and we are pleased to announce our first state funding increase in four years! Boise State University’s allocation is 9.4% higher than the FY12 base budget. This amounts to $7 million of new base funding for the University’s appropriated operating budget.

Much of the additional funding will be used to implement a 2% across the board salary increase for employees, and to pay increased premiums for health care. Included in the $7 million is $3.5 million allocated for the FY13 Enrollment Workload Adjustment and partial funding for maintenance and utility costs of new academic facilities on campus. This increase, along with new revenue from a 5.7% increase in student tuition and fees, will allow the University to fund some of our high priority academic and research initiatives.

Due to the significant budget reductions over the past few years, the University’s Annual Planning and Budget process identified strategic critical needs across campus, resulting in $2.8 million in additional permanent allocations that will be made across campus. Finally, several other initiatives that require permanent funding from the FY13 budget have been identified over the past years; most notably the Ph.D. program in Biomolecular Science.

While it appears that our enrollment growth may be slowing, we are still experiencing growth in retention and graduation rates, which is one of our most important goals. Past investments in advising and instructional support in the midst of budget reductions are paying off as we expand our efforts to help students complete their college degree. Our faculty and staff are to be commended for managing increased workloads and focusing on student success in spite of larger classes and covering additional duties.

Salary Increases

The Idaho Legislature approved funding for a 2 % across the board pay increase in FY13 for all permanent faculty, classified and non-classified permanent employees, and adjunct faculty that are achieving performance standards. Effective dates for the increases are as follows:

For permanent professional and classified staff hired before April 1, 2012 and achieving satisfactory performance evaluations, a 2% salary increase goes into effect on June 10 and will be included in the July 6 paycheck.

For permanent faculty hired before April 1, 2012, increases are effective July 22 and will be included in the August 17 paycheck.

Increases for eligible adjunct faculty with appointments beginning on or after July 1 will be included in paychecks issued on or after July 20, 2012.

Permanent classified staff hired between April 1, 2012 and June 9, 2012, will receive the increase after satisfactory completion of the 1,040 hour probationary period.

Please note that FY13 Employment Contracts should be issued by the first week of June. If you have any budget questions, please contact the Budget Office at 426-1344 or the Budget Office Executive Director, Chris Rosenbaum, at AACROSEN@boisestate.edu.

An open-campus budget update session has been scheduled for Friday, May 4 at 2:00 PM in the Jordan Ballroom. President Kustra and I will be on hand to provide more details and answer your questions. You will also be receiving information from the Budget Office as it relates specifically to your area.

Once again, Boise State has endured a period of significant financial instability and we are well positioned for the future. It is heartening to work with a group of people who fully support our vision, remain focused on reaching our goals and who will not let their optimism about this University’s future be dampened by temporary setbacks.

Thank you for your support of this University and for all that you do to help our students achieve their academic goals.

Stacy Pearson
Vice President for Finance and Administration