Gannon University announces 2022-2023 budget

Madeline Bruce and Chloe Palmiere

Gannon University students will see a 3% increase in tuition for the 2022-2023 school year and a total increase for the cost of attendance of 3.3%.

The annual cost of tuition for a full-time undergraduate student in engineering, computer science and health professions will increase to $36,670. The annual cost of tuition for a full-time undergraduate student in business, humanities, education, social sciences and sciences will increase to $34,570.

The university fee, which is currently $340 per semester, will see an increase of $60 per semester to account for the addition of TimelyCare MD, the free healthcare platform for students, and increased costs to operate Gannon’s shuttle.

Other fees will remain the same, and students will see a total dollar increase between tuition and fees of $1,200 for the entire 2022-2023 academic year.

The increases are built into the proposed $107 million budget for the 2022-2023 academic year, which will take effect starting July 1. The current year budget came in at around $104 million, according to university officials.

The board of trustees is scheduled to vote on the proposed 2022-23 spending plan at its meeting the week of May 16.

The $107 million will cover the cost of instruction, facility costs and strategic initiatives. A large portion of the budget is also awarded as student aid, including scholarships.

The proposed budget also contains a 5.3% increase in the pool of funds available for faculty and staff compensation. However, this does not equate to a 5.3% general pay increase. Rather, the funds will be used to increase the minimum hourly rate for full-time colleagues, boost adjunct faculty pay and allow for merit increases and promotions. Officials said colleagues at the lower end of the pay scale will see the largest percentage increases.

Officials noted that the Consumer Price Index increased by 8.5% for the year ending in March – the largest 12-month increase since December 1981.

Many factors are considered when members of the president’s leadership team come together to create the university’s fiscal year’s budget. These factors include whether they need to increase, decrease or leave the budget the same. They also consider projected enrollment, tuition increases, building development and more.

University officials said key income drivers are projected enrollment, tuition rates and financial aid. Net tuition and fees account for approximately 75% of Gannon’s total income each year. Key expense drivers are salary and benefit costs and typical costs of doing business such as utilities and insurance.

A variety of things are a part of the operating and capital budget for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year.

These include new cardio equipment for the Recreation & Wellness Center, financial aid, pool renovations, new turf and an updated scoreboard for McConnell Family Stadium.

Workers began removing the old turf at the stadium this week. As a result, the Gannon baseball team will play its final two home games – a 1 p.m. doubleheader Friday against Indiana University of Pennsylvania – at UPMC Park.

Budget funds also will go toward South Hall, the new residence hall located at the corner of Sassafras and West Eighth streets. Justice, equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives will also get funding from the budget, as well as new academic programs, like cybersecurity, applied intelligence, and communication sciences and disorders.

MADELINE BRUCE

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CHLOE PALMIERE

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