Student Union | Photo by Monica Brutto | The Wright State Guardian
UPDATE: This is an update to the article below originally published on Feb. 21, 2023
According to Seth Bauguess, communications director for WSU, the Board has not yet chosen a new food service provider and the search for a new vendor is ongoing. The pending contract is still listed in public Board of Trustees documents.
On Feb. 17, the Board of Trustees held a public session to discuss enrollment and new food service providers, among other items of importance.
Enrollment
The board discussed a presentation by Susan Schaurer, vice president for enrollment management and student success, and Tim Littell, associate vice provost, that the pair presented in a previous Faculty Senate meeting. The presentation shows how spring semester enrollment is on an upward trend.
“Anticipated Tuition and Fee revenue for Fiscal Year 2023 exceeds the approved budget by $1.5 million (1.1%) and exceeds FY2022 actuals by $0.4 million (0.3%). The revenue is reflective of actual enrollment,” the financial analysis report states.
Additionally, the finance and investment report shows that there is currently a $4 million surplus due to a lower amount of staff than usual. Trustee Douglas Fecher provided insight into the effect of this surplus, noting both advantages and disadvantages.
“The vacancy rate among our staff is probably driving a big part of that surplus. That’s a double edge sword, happy that it is providing a surplus, but we have to note the stress that is on our staff and the people that work here because of that higher than usual vacancy rate,” Fecher said.
New food service provider
The Chartwells food service contract is ending in July 2023; the board chose a new provider but has yet to announce the name.
The new contact will run from July 1, 2023 to June 2028.
Other items of importance
CPR training device
The board highlighted other developments on campus, including the installment of the first mobile Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation training device. This is the first device in the county and is located on Wright State Dayton campus in the Student Union. University President Sue Edwards explained that, while it is not a certification, it can give the WSU community more confidence to know what to do in a safe space.
Higher learning commission
Dr. Brian Boyd reminded the board of the preparations prior to the Higher Learning Commission visit, which is to take place at the end of April, for accreditation.
Programs
Edwards announced that U.S. News ranked two WSU programs, the Masters in Industrial and Human Factors Engineering program and the Masters in Computer Science program, in the top 100.
The next Board of Trustees public session is to take place on April 28 at 9 a.m. in 156 Student Union.
