Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s budget has been approved by the Regional University System of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for fiscal year 2022.
Northwestern will operate with a total budget comprised of $32,001,968, compared to last year’s budget of $26,072,311. The budget consists of $26,445,900 in E&G funding and $5,536,068 from CARES funds. The FY22 budget shows an increase of $557,926 in state appropriations.
Due to this increase in funding, tuition and mandatory fees will remain the same at $248.75 per credit hour. The legislature and OSRHE highlighted several areas of emphasis including nursing, education and STEM fields for funding. Northwestern was able to retain a position in nursing and a position in education, as well as fill a vacant position in natural sciences. There will be an added $50,000 in scholarships to encourage students to enter teacher education, with special emphasis placed on those interested in math, science and special education.
“We are thankful to receive the additional funding through state appropriations and CARES funding,” Dr. Janet Cunningham, university president, said. “We have many projects starting, now that this funding has been secured, to improve our campus for years to come.”
A portion of CARES funding went directly to enrolled students to help with educational expenses. Other projects at the university include the installation of underground fiber, the addition of wireless access points, two new HVAC systems, additional technology for classrooms, as well as a new phone system being implemented later in the year.
“Not only are we able to improve certain areas on campus, our full-time staff also received a much-needed raise through the increase in funding,” Cunningham said. “Northwestern recognizes employees’ hard work to create a great environment, and our students benefit from that, too.”
Enrollment continues to be important. An enrollment management task force has been formed to create new strategies and solutions for recruiting and retaining students. This task force is comprised of staff and faculty. Northwestern will see a normal academic year regarding classroom set-up and activities, which will help students make decisions on where to attend.
“The upcoming year will look more traditional, as we have discontinued our face-covering policy. I have missed so many aspects of campus life because of the pandemic, and am excited to see student faces bustling around again.”
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