Kentucky’s public universities were requesting an eight-percent increase in operating dollars, but in the governor’s next two-year budget proposal, the schools would instead receive a 2.5% cut in funding.
"We took a smaller reduction in his proposal than other state agencies, but it's substantial," remarked Robbin Taylor, VP of Public Affairs at WKU. "It's about $1.8 for us, and on top of all the other reductions since 2008, that's going to be fairly painful."
On the other hand, the governor’s budget plan funded WKU’s top capital project request. The proposal sets aside $48 million to complete the science campus renovation, which includes renovating the Thompson Complex Center Wing, demolishing the North Wing, and building a new planetarium.
The Gatton Academy for Math and Science also received funding to expand the number of students from 120 to 200.
