Around Campus | Photo by Arden Reimer | The Wright State Guardian
During the June 16 meeting, the Wright State University Board of Trustees approved the budget for fiscal year 2024, discussing student experience and enrollment with a commitment to retention practices.
Fiscal year 2024 budget
The university expects $225.8 million in revenues and $237.5 million in expenses, according to the budget presentation from Gregory Sample, chief operating officer, and Burhan Kawosa, associate vice president of financial operations.
Expenditures for continued relations with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and campus improvements, including sidewalk and pavement construction, are included in the budget.
In March 2023, Moody’s Investors Service, which provides research and analytical tools for bond credit ratings, upgraded Wright State from a stable to positive status. For more information about the Moody’s upgrade with comments from Douglas Fecher, chair of the Finance, Audit, Governance and Compliance Committee, read a previous Guardian story.
Susan Schaurer, vice president for enrollment management and student success, noted that Wright State is ranked second in the state for affordability, according to the Ohio Department of Higher Education Annual Survey of Student Charges. Schaurer commented on both the affordability and accessibility of the university.
“We are known for affordability and for keeping the cost of the college degree attainable, and whether in reference to cost for providing a college experience to those with physical limitations or neurodivergence, Wright State is known nationally for its commitment to accessibility,” Schaurer said.
Sample described student experience and how the university will move forward to improve retention, including through academic programming and investments in software platforms.
“Students are our customers, and they have demonstrated that they're here for one year, and they choose not to come back the next year. We're not providing them the support that they otherwise are looking for,” Sample said.
Enrollment projections
Between Fall 2022 and Fall 2023 (as of June 13 prior to the term), there was an increase of 191 students who stated intent to attend Wright State, according to Schaurer.
Schaurer provided other positive outlooks based on enrollment indicators, including I-20 issuances, housing applications and orientation registrations.
Moving forward
The board maintained a push for student retention and programming. Trustee Ranjan Kejriwal proposed an evaluation of the academic programs that the university offers, which the board approved unanimously.
“It is clear that an evaluation is needed on what programs we offer to our students. It is very important that we are offering and making strategic investments in programs that are in demand and needed by the reasonable workforce and students,” Kejriwal said.
According to Kejriwal, this review will determine program effectiveness and alignment to the university mission. Provost Amy Thompson will provide the results of the evaluation at the December board meeting.
