Wright State trustees approve budget, tuition increase

The Wright State University Board of Trustees on June 10 approved a budget for fiscal 2012 and a tuition increase.

By a 6-0 vote, the trustees approved an annual operating budget of $301 million. It’s part of an overall budget of $442 million, which includes money for restricted use such as research grants and contracts.

The operating budget represents less than a 1 percent increase over that of 2011, even though the university is saddled with increased expenses such as $2.5 million in the cost of health benefits, inflation of $1.25 million, the cost of serving about 1,000 more students, and making up a loss of some state capital funds.

The trustees also approved a 3.5 percent increase for undergraduate tuition, 4.5 percent for graduate tuition, and 5 percent for the Boonshoft School of Medicine, the School of Professional Psychology and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program.

In addition, the trustees approved the 2011 Master Plan, which creates a framework for the university’s growth for the foreseeable future.

The first phase includes construction of the Rinzler Student Sports Complex to support campus recreation, a new classroom building, construction of the Neuroscience Academic Research Building, renovations to the Student Union, and the renovation of the Creative Arts Center and Schuster Concert Hall.