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Delaware State University made a request for $6.2 million in additional funds in front of lawmakers on the Joint Finance Committee Wednesday.
DSU President Harry L. Williams said the extra dollars are needed to backfill stimulus funds the university lost two years ago and to supplement salary increases.
The requested funds would be on top of the $32.7 million allotted for DSU in the governor’s Fiscal Year 2013 operating budget.
Williams said of the $6.2 million, $2.8 million would be used to restore federal stimulus money, $1.8 million would go toward salary increases negotiated with DSU union members and $1.5 million would be used to obtain a matching federal grant.
State appropriations account for one of three funding sources for the school. DSU receives the rest of its revenue from endowment and tuition.
After two years of tuition increases, the university is at a cap in what their students can afford, Williams said. The current tuition for the 2011-2012 school year is $7,056 for in-state students and $15,052 for out-of-state students.
“The main reason for students not matriculating and moving through centers around finances,” he said. “Our average family income for students who enroll in Delaware State is right around $40,000. The dollars are just not there for the students, so that’s why we spend a lot of time and effort trying to raise money to support those initiatives.”
Williams thanked the state for its continued support with the university’s Inspire Scholarship, which is awarded to Delaware high school graduates seeking to enroll at DSU. The scholarship assisted 247 freshman students in the Fall 2011 semester and is expected to help 500 in total.
The governor’s FY13 budget proposal includes $700,000 for the scholarship program, putting the total allotted funding at $1.4 million.
“What an amazing game changer for Delaware State University,” Williams said about the Inspire Scholarship, which he attributed for the school’s record enrollment this year.
Legislators praised Williams for the work he has done during his two-year tenure at the university.
“I’ve always been one of your biggest fans,” said Rep. Melanie George Smith (D-Newark) “To see an increase in out-of-state enrollment by 30 percent, I’m really proud of that.”
Sen. Brian Bushweller (D-Dover) echoed George Smith’s sentiments.
“The school is clearly moving in the right direction,” said Sen. Brian Bushweller (D-Dover). “I’m intensely proud that Delaware State is in my district.”
Delaware State University made a request for $6.2 million in additional funds in front of lawmakers on the Joint Finance Committee Wednesday.
DSU President Harry L. Williams said the extra dollars are needed to backfill stimulus funds the university lost two years ago and to supplement salary increases.
The requested funds would be on top of the $32.7 million allotted for DSU in the governor’s Fiscal Year 2013 operating budget.
Williams said of the $6.2 million, $2.8 million would be used to restore federal stimulus money, $1.8 million would go toward salary increases negotiated with DSU union members and $1.5 million would be used to obtain a matching federal grant.
State appropriations account for one of three funding sources for the school. DSU receives the rest of its revenue from endowment and tuition.
After two years of tuition increases, the university is at a cap in what their students can afford, Williams said. The current tuition for the 2011-2012 school year is $7,056 for in-state students and $15,052 for out-of-state students.
“The main reason for students not matriculating and moving through centers around finances,” he said. “Our average family income for students who enroll in Delaware State is right around $40,000. The dollars are just not there for the students, so that’s why we spend a lot of time and effort trying to raise money to support those initiatives.”
Williams thanked the state for its continued support with the university’s Inspire Scholarship, which is awarded to Delaware high school graduates seeking to enroll at DSU. The scholarship assisted 247 freshman students in the Fall 2011 semester and is expected to help 500 in total.
The governor’s FY13 budget proposal includes $700,000 for the scholarship program, putting the total allotted funding at $1.4 million.
“What an amazing game changer for Delaware State University,” Williams said about the Inspire Scholarship, which he attributed for the school’s record enrollment this year.
Legislators praised Williams for the work he has done during his two-year tenure at the university.
“I’ve always been one of your biggest fans,” said Rep. Melanie George Smith (D-Newark) “To see an increase in out-of-state enrollment by 30 percent, I’m really proud of that.”
Sen. Brian Bushweller (D-Dover) echoed George Smith’s sentiments.
“The school is clearly moving in the right direction,” said Sen. Brian Bushweller (D-Dover). “I’m intensely proud that Delaware State is in my district.”
