Wednesday, August 25, 1999
Votruba decries NKU's funding
BY TERRY FLYNN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS — Northern Kentucky University is the most underfunded campus in the commonwealth, NKU President James Votruba said Tuesday, but steps are being taken to change that.
“Our students contribute 55 percent of NKU's overall public funding which is, by far, the highest among all Kentucky universities,” Dr. Votruba said in his state of the university address before more than 500 faculty, staff and visitors.
The state Council on Postsecondary Education's goal is to have student tuition account for no more than 33 percent of the total funding for a college or university.
Dr. Votruba said NKU needs funding at a level closer to other state universities to raise salaries for faculty and staff, provide better campus maintainance, buy needed equipment and technology, and provide for more scholarships and fellowships.
State Rep. Jim Callahan, D-Wilder, who attended the speech, said the state formula for college funding does not benefit NKU to the same extent as other Kentucky schools.
One reason for the disparity is that nearly 50 percent of its students are part time, making it difficult to fund NKU like other four-year institutions where the majority of the students are full time.
Last spring, the council identified 19 schools from around the country that the eight Kentucky universities will try to emulate in raising financial and other standards.
“If it comes to the point where legislation is needed, I would definitely step forward and sponsor that legislation,” Mr. Callahan said. “But the solution may not require legislation.”
Dr. Votruba said he will ask the NKU campus community to propose ways to streamline campus policies and procedures as well as re-engineer the campus administration to enhance quality, improve responsiveness and reduce costs.
To encourage and support growth and development, the council will also offer funding bonuses connected to specific improvements in all areas of the university.
Other areas where Dr. Votruba said NKU will look for improvement include strengthening curriculum, enhancing student recruitment and retention, strengthening public engagement and improving campus facilities.
He mentioned NKU's efforts with its first-year programs in Grant County, which he said have “succeeded beyond even our most optimistic projections.
“In its initial year, the program enrolled about 165 students. This is an example of how we can go out into the community with excellent results.”
Tristate smoking, deaths top averages
Hate group targets Anderson
Hundreds of vets' graves overgrown
Kings Island closes second ride
Road work an obstacle to Riverfest
Votruba decries NKU's funding
Judge halts voucher program
Most Americans oppose full school vouchers
What's Your Opinion: Questions of fairness
Chief: Fire response was earlier
Ex-guard beats felony rap involving girl
GET TO IT
Jurisdiction argued in Justin hearing
Ross teens start school on sad note
Storms knock down trees, power lines
Birth control options
Contraceptive for males is still in works
Most common contraceptive methods
Buddhist monks perform for world peace
If you go: 'Mystical Music and Dance of Tibet'
McKechnie working on new show at Playhouse
'Blue's Clues' host very much alive
Agencies doing own pot testing
Bell fighting area-code change
Boone Co. citizens get a say in police study
Deputy city manager no longer 'interim'
Escapee from county jail to do more time
Forest Park paper ends run
Gravelrama ready to roll
Judge to say whether historic building may be torn down
Kenton proposal: Regulate sex-oriented businesses
Ky. GOP gains ground
Marchers protest Ohio death penalty
Mason to double size of park
Mental health clients find pals in program
Middletown mall burden, experts say
Mostly white jury chosen for Miami U. trial
Officer hurt in scrape with teen
Schools opt to build new rather than renovate old
Sewer fight shifts to site test
Six hurt in blast near Germantown
TRISTATE DIGEST
Union Twp. to pay for aerial map
Video seller pleads no contest
Video store is investigated
Warren to fight Deerfield over water, sewer plan
