Budget for Colorado State Emphasizes Undergraduate Education

The State Board of Agriculture today approved an education budget for Colorado State University that includes an increase of nearly $6.5 million in revenues over last year’s budget and plans to infuse this increase into improvements in undergraduate education and technology and salary increases for faculty and staff.

Meeting in Denver today, the State Board okayed a budget for fiscal year 1999 that includes an increase of nearly $3.5 million allocated by the Colorado Legislature from the general fund. This increased legislative appropriation (up four percent from the $74.5 million last year), along with tuition increases set by the legislature, interest, indirect cost recovery and miscellaneous revenues brings the university’s general educational budget to nearly $185 million.

"The next fiscal year is very important to Colorado State University as we further develop and implement a core curriculum. This budget provides Colorado State with resources as we work to create a truly integrated learning environment," said President Albert C. Yates. "At the center of this budget is a clear commitment to a top-quality undergraduate education. We appreciate the support for higher education from the state legislature and its recognition of the importance of providing the best possible education to our students."

Other priority areas include implementing a long-term strategic plan for using information technology in instruction, both on campus and in continuing and distance education programming, development of a new university diversity plan and new student retention initiatives. Also in this budget, nearly $6 million is allocated to increasing faculty salaries an average of 3.3 percent, promotional increases, state classified salary hikes and benefit cost hikes for FY 1999.

Other highlights include:

* Funding to create more than 250 classes with 20 students or less, as part of the overall core curriculum.

* Additional funding for the On-line Writing Center, also an important component of the new core curriculum, which emphasizes communications skills.

* Funding for adding honors courses for undergraduates.

* Funding to add 10 new slots for Colorado students in the university’s renowned Professional Veterinary Medicine program.

* Additional funding to continue efforts to revitalize the physical appearance of campus.