The College's Board of Trustees has approved a 1997-98 budget that President Roger Hull says has as its primary purpose the strengthening of the College's academic program while limiting increases in student charges, providing fair and competitive compensation for faculty and staff and preserving campus facilities.
The $74.1 million budget represents a 5.1 percent increase over the current year.
The 1997-98 budget reflects a number of priorities. Among them:
An increase in tuition and other costs that is only about one percent over inflation.
The total for tuition, room and board and other fees is $28,465, a 4.2 percent increase
over this year.
A commitment to meet the financial need of all accepted students. The College will
increase its financial aid budget to nearly $15.5 million, a 7.3 percent increase over
this year. The financial aid expenditure represents about 34 percent of budgeted tuition
and fees revenues.
To provide fair and competitive compensation, faculty and administrative salaries, as
well as hourly wages, are to increase by four percent; three percent to match anticipated
inflation, one percent to recognize merit.
A continued commitment to fund deferred maintenance and facilities renewal, at $600,000
and $400,000, respectively. (Construction of the F.W. Olin Center and the renovation and
expansion of Schaffer Library are funded by gifts and do not affect the College's
operating budget.)
The trustees also approved for tenure and promotion to associate professor Chris
Duncan, visual arts; William Garcia, modern languages; Louisa Matthew, visual arts; and
Jill Salvo, biology.