Wichita State University is asking its faculty and staff for ways to save money and increase outside funding for their departments. The school has experienced funding cuts from the state.
WSU sent a letter out this week to faculty and staff asking for ideas in addressing funding challenges. It’s in response to Gov. Sam Brownback’s decision to reduce funding to the school by 4 percent.
The university’s general fund saw a $2.9 million cut in the current fiscal year, and that same reduction is likely going happen again when the new fiscal year starts in July.
“If this cut is to remain permanent, we will have to be looking at ways we can do things in a less costly way," says Mary Herrin, the university's vice president for Administration and Finance. "Work on getting more research grants in, and do as much as we can for students, faculty and staff knowing we’re going to have to cut the budget.”
Herrin says the school is focusing on growing enrollment, finding outside funding like grants and asking each department to identify unneeded spending. The school has already eliminated one of its free parking lots for students in response to budget cuts.
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