FY 2025 quarter one, which ended Sept. 30, saw expenses of $112.8 million, 34% of the $334.6 million budget, and revenue of $138.6 million, 41% of the budget, detailed in a statement here. This compares to expenses at 33% and revenue at 39% after the first quarter of the FY 2024 budget.

“In my opinion, that’s excellent progress from prior years,” Susan Howarth, executive vice president for strategy, operations and finance, said. 

Howarth said net tuition revenue is “the single strategic focus on the revenue side of the budget” since schools can lose revenue through increased enrollment. Net tuition revenue saw almost $64 million in quarter one, per the statement. 

WKU President Timothy Caboni said statewide, there can be an internal “complete focus” on student headcount. He said while population metrics are important, “the reality is that you can buy those numbers.”

“What we’ve been focused on ensuring is the fiscal health of the institution, not focusing on a number of students, but rather ensuring that net tuition is stable and growing,” WKU President Timothy Caboni said. 

Howarth said personnel expense is similar to last year while operating expense has increased, primarily in the “Other Financial Assistance” category due to more PELL and CAP awards and in the “Supplies & Operating” category due to higher property insurance. 

Howarth said she, Caboni and Provost Bud Fischer continue to monitor inflationary increases and all campus units “to make sure that everybody is staying within the tails and no one is getting out of control.”

“Our budget is in great shape,” Caboni told the Herald. “We’re in better shape than last year and we’re going to be in better shape next year as well.”

Shane Spiller, faculty regent, asked Caboni how it is decided which “competing” units receive additional funds or personnel if it’s sought.

“I think it’s pretty simple,” Caboni responded. “This is the amount of money you have, don’t overspend it. And if you need more, we can talk about how we allocate revenue to meet those needs. But until someone has the conversation around ‘this is absolutely mission critical,’ then don’t add it.”

Caboni said it is important to recognize the RAMP model makes it easy for units to understand what money is allocated, which must be taken into account when planning. He said he’s seen “good progress” from Athletics, which he expects to continue. 

The Regents also approved:

• The auditor’s report and financial statements for FY 2024. Jennifer Williams, Forvis Mazars audit partner, said the financial reports provided to the agency present fairly. 
• A resolution to secure a $10 million line of credit through JPMorgan Chase Bank to be used “only in the event the timing of revenue collections does not match expense payment timing,” according to the meeting agenda.
• Faculty and staff personnel actions from March 1 to Sept. 30 and one-time compensation payments in the Sept. 1 to Sept. 30 payroll period.
• A recommendation for revising BOR bylaws, which will shift the responsibility of auditing from the Executive Committee to the Finance and Budget Committee, which will be renamed the “Finance, Budget, and Audit Committee.”

Content Editor Ali Costellow can be reached at ali.costellow453@topper.wku.edu.

Caboni told the Faculty Senate during its September meeting that “2% a year is not enough,” and that across-the-board salary increases “are not going to address our issues.” He instead emphasized implementing merit-based raises. 

Jace Lux, university spokesperson, told the Herald Wednesday via email that university leadership accepted the BEC’s recommendation because it believes it “best enables our faculty and staff to address inflationary pressures” and demonstrates “the respect leadership has for the BEC’s work and the important role it plays in the budgeting process.”

Lux said in the email Caboni anticipates the BEC’s recommendation next year to include the incorporation of merit-based salary increases.

All faculty and staff members hired on or before July 31 are eligible for the 2% increase, which will go into effect Jan. 1, 2025, Caboni said in the email. 

“We recognize and deeply value the dedication of our faculty and staff both to our students and to WKU,” Caboni said in the email. “Thank you for your continued work to transform lives and achieve our institutional mission.”

The announcement comes following the university’s announcement of a 22.5% increase in health care premiums. The WKU Department of Human Resources released the 2025 benefits guide on Oct. 3, which outlined the plans available to faculty and staff for 2025. WKU math professor Dan Clark, in an email to faculty and staff, shared a document explaining that premiums were increasing. This includes a $25.42 increase from last year and a $53.42 total increase since 2018.

Content Editor Ali Costellow can be reached at ali.costellow453@topper.wku.edu 

There are three freshman senator seats, one international senator seat and one Gatton Academy senator seat available. 

Here are the candidates on the ballot this election. 

The candidates

Freshman senator

• Andrew Clinton 
• Aquilla Dunn
• Aria Suggs
• Brennan Christmas
• Carson Volkert
• Cayden Bailey
• Christian Reisner
• Ciin Lun
• Demani Bell
• Elijah Martin
• Elliot Tapp
• Emmanuel Summers-Bates
• Ivy Tran
• Jack Woolf
• Jakob Barker
• Joie Willoughby
• Lukas Johnson
• Ne MooPaw
• Sonny Blackwell
• Veronica Butler
• Wyatt Wassom

International senator

• Hermes Olmos

Gatton Academy senator 

• Lola Norman

Election results will be announced Friday at midnight through a live stream on SGA’s Instagram account, according to Student Body President Sam Kurtz.

Content Editor Ali Costellow can be reached at ali.costellow453@topper.wku.edu.

A 17-year-old Gatton Academy student died while swimming in the Barren River after going missing on Friday. 

First responders and officials found the student’s body on Sunday after a multi-day search involving the Bowling Green Fire Department, Barren County Rescue, Richardsville Fire Department, Warren County Emergency Management and Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, according to WBKO News.

“The Gatton Academy community has experienced a terrible tragedy. We mourn the loss of a remarkable student who was impactful and beloved within the Gatton Academy as well as his home community,” Jace Lux, WKU spokesperson, said in an email to the Herald on behalf of the Gatton Academy. “We extend our deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers to the student’s family and loved ones. Gatton and WKU counselors are available to students. Gatton families and staff are also supporting our students as they navigate this difficult time.”

The Herald has reached out to the Bowling Green Fire Department for additional details. This story will be updated.

Editor-in-Chief Price Wilborn can be reached at edwin.wilborn835@topper.wku.edu.

Content Editor Ali Costellow can be reached at ali.costellow453@topper.wku.edu.