Budget Planning Council

October 27, 2006

M I N U T E S

Present: Bill Decatur, Dennis Irwin, David Thomas, Morgan Allen, Wendy Merb-Brown, Joe McLaughlin, Dominic Barbato, Phyllis Bernt, Rich Carpinelli, and Gail Houlette

Absent: Kathy Krendl, Morgan Vis, Greg Shepherd, and Gary Neiman

Presenters: Mike Williford, Soni Williams, Valerie Miller, Mike Mumper

Guests/staff: David Descutner, Darrell Winefordner, Patrick Heery, Aimee Howlee, Larry Corrigan, Steve Flaherty

I. Enrollment Projections

Mike Williford distributed information summarizing enrollment projections for fall 2007 and beyond. For years after 2007, the enrollment numbers are not projected but rather are planned. The five-year plan will be updated every year with new data and updated projections. This information presents a “snapshot” of last year with undergraduate retention and transfer students continuing to be a challenge, while the College of Medicine (COM) remains consistent. Assigning dollar figures to declining enrollment numbers equates to $825K in revenue for each 100 students lost. Various reasons listed for not returning include quality-of-life in the dorms, age and renovation issues, advising, and the marketing--or lack thereof--of Ohio University. The cost of Ohio universities and continual tuition increases each year were discussed in relation to the need for additional resources to aid Ohio students.

II. Undergraduate Student Financial Aid Projections

Soni Williams and Valerie Miller reviewed the undergraduate scholarship plan and the commitment of more and more institutional (general operating) funds to its enrollment planning efforts. One percent of tuition increases has been set aside for need-based grants and scholarship funds in each of the last two years. Institutional scholarships should facilitate success by attracting students who successfully graduate, help the university achieve its stated enrollment targets and its mission and goals, and increase access for needy students. At present, there are many pending requests for additional funds; therefore, a process is needed to translate institutional priorities into a viable scholarship plan.

III. Graduate Fee Waivers/Tuition Scholarships

IV. General Fee

Dawn Copeland shared several questions with the BPC regarding the status of the General Fee, as well as a draft document for the alignment of cost center against general fee for the Athens Campus for the FY07 budget. A process is being instituted going forward that will pull the general fee out and a student-driven General Fee Committee will be instituted to analyze moneys received through fees and participate in decision making regarding how such fees should be distributed.

NEXT MEETING – Friday, November 17, 10-12 in HRTC 154