Sage Kiernan-Sherrow | News Editor
After an unpredicted low enrollment turnout, Western is having to financially restrategize in order to minimize the effect on students. Compared to fall of 2018, enrollment is down by 5%. The effects that has on the university is huge — more than 70% of Western’s revenue is based on student’s tuition and fees, while the state provides only 30%.
Currently, Western is facing a $4.5 million deficit despite their success last year in maintaining their objective to avoid tuition increases.
According to Western’s Vice President of Finance and Administration, Ana Karaman, low enrollment is a nation-wide issue; fewer people are graduating from high school, but those who do find appeal in community colleges, especially here in Oregon where the Oregon Opportunity Grant benefits community college attendees. Karaman explained that Western is working on a plan with local community colleges which will make transferring credits easier and hopefully increase enrollment.
Another cause of low enrollment is in regards to the international population which has dropped significantly due to the current political and social climate, regards Karaman.
“We would love to see enrollment grow,” stated Karaman, “but we want to take care of the students that we already have.”
That includes plans to become a Hispanic Serving Institution, to cater to the large population of Hispanic students on campus, as well as first generation, underrepresented and low-income students. The most important thing is “providing these students with opportunities,” Karaman said.
While enrollment won’t affect tuition, it will have an effect on Western’s respective departments and organizations. The plan is to cut the supplies and services expenses for departments that aren’t directly benefiting students. Furthermore, positions in departments will heretofore remain unfilled in order to generate regular savings, which will then be returned to the university to help counter the deficit.
However, the university is taking a holistic approach in deciding which programs deserve to be cut. The University Budget Advisory Committee is planning an office meeting with every department to “engage with people in conversations,” according to Karaman. The UBAC will present the board with different scenarios and the board will make a determination based on what will provide students with the greatest opportunities.
“For students, our objectives remain the same — affordability and student success,” assured Karaman.
Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu
