• No vacancy rate assumed for employees In the 2025-2027 Biennial Operating Budget we received 59% of the fund split/compensation. We also received some funding for Enterprise Risk Management and Occupational Safety and Health. However, we got a cut of 1.5% across the board to our base budget. We did get funding in the 2025-2027 Biennial Capital Budget for the hangar out at the airport and some funding for the emergency backup power system, institutional equipment upgrades, and $4M for the 2025- 27 decarbonization package. SVP Klucking provided an early look at the fiscal year 2026 budget. The state and local general fund includes state funding, tuition for 8200 students, a 200-student contingency, filled positions, approved vacant positions, and investment funding. Salary and benefits savings are not included. A preliminary operating net would be an almost $3.9M budget deficit. The system funds include room and board for 2175 students, filled positions, and approved vacant positions. Salary and benefits savings and an enrollment contingency are not included. In this early look, system funds would net around $1.5M. Another version of the budget will be shared in July, and the final budget will be approved in October. During the action agenda at Friday’s meeting the board will consider: • Mandatory fee increases for Services and Activities, the Student Union, and the Recreation Center • S&A Quadrennial Budget for FY26-FY29 • College of Business differential tuition decrease Faculty Research Presentation Dr. Obery explained that her presentation would be focused on Authentic Community Engagement in Science. The goal is to build knowledge and interest in biomedical and STEM careers throughout Eastern Montana including rural and Tribal communities, which also ties into CWU’s mission of authentic community partnerships and providing access to all. Authentic community engagement in science is divided into three aims: 1. Atomic Circus Show – enhancing conceptual understanding through chemistry theater. 2. Culturally Relevant STEM Curriculum – Rural Biomedical Education and Rural Research Design Practice Partnerships. 3. Community Engagement – Rural family and community engagement in STEM. The chemistry demonstration shows have shifted to both increasing the audience’s interest in chemistry phenomena and to teaching content knowledge at every age level. Early exposure to science is necessary to support awareness of and identification with science. Rural STEM education has many benefits often including a focus on local environments, resources, with varied and deep community involvement, especially for science. Intentionally including and valuing local rural knowledge might be one way to gain family and community
11 Board of Trustees Minutes May 15-16, 2025
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