MSA to address MU budget cut

By Gwen Daniels

Published Oct. 9, 2007

As MU faces a $7 million budget cut, the Missouri Students Association will address the problem head on.

Representatives from MSA met with Nikki Krawitz, vice president for Finance and Administration for the UM system, for a budget briefing on Monday.

MSA will recommend policy action to the Missouri General Assembly based on Krawitz's presentation.

"We know that we're facing a budget crisis as far as the University of Missouri-Columbia is concerned," MSA Senate Speaker Jonathan Mays said. "There are specific cutbacks on fundamental resources of the university. We're trying to make an informed recommendation and have some empathy for the people trying to make decisions."

The Department of Finance and Administration monitors budgets for the UM system, which includes campuses in Columbia, Kansas City, Rolla and St. Louis and a hospital system headquartered at MU. The department allocates money from tuition and the state government to each component, including MU.

In addition, MU controls self-generated revenues, such as student fees and donations.

Each year, the department submits its Appropriations Request for Operations to the state legislature, which provides money for university operations, including instruction, research, and academic and institutional support.

But the department does not receive all the funds it asks for. When the state government encounters financial trouble, higher education is especially hurt, Krawitz said.

The UM system faced dramatic budget cuts in fiscal year 2002, which spanned from July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2003. Since then, state appropriations have been lower than in fiscal year 2001 when the system was allocated $442 million.

The estimated appropriation to the UM system for fiscal year 2008 is $430.9 million.

The governor and assembly have committed to increase funding by 4.2 percent for the next two fiscal years in order to reach the level the UM system spent in 2001, Krawitz said.

The Department of Finance and Administration will seek an even greater amount for fiscal year 2009.

"We are confident we'll get 4.2 percent, but we're asking for 12 percent," Krawitz said.

MSA will also present a recommendation to the General Assembly.

"We'll make another recommendation for state appropriation to the entire university system somewhere between the tentative agreement for 4.2 percent and the board's recommendation for 12 percent," Mays said.

MSA President Rachel Anderson said the meeting clarifies aspects of the budget.

"I think it's really helpful for our whole budget process and review," she said. "Why tuition is higher than we think it should be and how we fit in with other schools across the state and in the Big 12."

MSA plans to take a comprehensive look at the financial side of the university system, Mays said.

He said they hope to meet with MU's Director of Budget Tim Rooney and the Office of Student Affairs.

"It will give us a better idea of what's happening in the big picture," Mays said. "We're putting in the time to understand what's really going on. We're more likely to be taken seriously and make viable recommendations."