Oct. 24, 2019—The Board of Governors at Missouri Western State University adopted a revised budget for the current fiscal year that includes a larger than anticipated deficit. 

“A combination of a slight dip in enrollment this fall, higher scholarship awards, rising insurance and utility costs, unexpected maintenance costs and other factors have caused us to reassess and adjust our budget,” Darrell Morrison, vice president for financial planning and administration, told the board. “As a campus, this will help us take steps to stabilize our financial position now and into the future.” 

“We are making sure that we focus on the wise stewardship of resources while expeditiously implementing measures to innovate, increase revenue streams and transform in preparation for the future,” said President Matt Wilson. “The University will continue to redouble its focus on students and work tirelessly to ensure student success. There is much excitement about Missouri Western on campus and in the community, especially with the emergence of creative initiatives such as Gold Fridays, the Center for Service and our Griffon Guarantee Scholarship that grows as students go.” We look forward to announcing additional initiatives and investments in our students in the near future.”  

The revised budget includes a deficit of approximately $3 million. Morrison said the University is already working to reduce this shortfall and anticipates significant progress in advance of the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 2020, through careful stewardship of resources, delayed hiring, streamlining, donations, and other measures.  

Also, on Thursday, the Board of Governors:

  • Renewed the contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City to provide health insurance for employees
  • Approved a three-year lease of exercise equipment for the Baker Family Fitness Center
  • Approved a contract with Technosolutions to provide customer relationship software hosted services for three to five years
  • Accepted a bid from IHP Industrial Inc. of St. Joseph to replace the boiler system in Agenstein and Remington Halls

Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.