Mearns Grateful for $15.2 Million From Congress; Will Not Be Enough to Cover Possible Budget Shortfall

Ball State University President Geoff Mearns, in his weekly interview with IPR News, said he is grateful for Congress’ support to the university and other higher education institutions nationwide, via the CARES Act. Mearns said, however, it would not be enough to cover a possible shortfall in the fiscal 2021 university budget that begins July 1, and runs until June 30, 2021.

BSU will receive $15.2 million; half of which will go to students, the other half for institutional needs.  Mearns said university leaders are running financial and planning models, testing various scenarios in order to have some idea of what, if any, programs or personnel would be cut if the state appropriation to Ball State and income from student tuition dollars shrink, because of the pandemic.

This and other issues were addressed by Mearns in his weekly interview that aired this (Fri.) morning on IPR.  You can hear the interview by clicking the link, below.