St. Louis — The Missouri Baptist University Board of Trustees at its winter meeting approved the 2006-2007 budget, five new academic programs, new faculty and a number of capital development projects.
Trustees approved a $25 million operating budget — more than a 10 percent increase compared to 2005-2006.
The 2006-2007 year will see a 6.6 percent increase in overall tuition across all programs and educational sites.
The increase in the 2006 budget supports new programs and facilitates needed advances in technology. Fourteen new full-time staff and faculty positions include professors for the previously added education specialist degree, the four newly approved majors and staffing in the areas of development, admissions and student life.
The 2006-2007 budget also has new provisions for the paving of campus parking, equipment for health and sports sciences, additional marketing funds and campus lighting and security upgrades.
The board also ratified the proposals for two capital improvement projects: the development of a coffeeshop-style student center at the north end of the quad and additional renovations for the West County campus library. Both capital projects will be completed with existing funds.
Four new academic majors were approved, including biotechnology, speech/theatre, worship arts and musical theatre. Musical theatre builds upon the drama minor and the worship arts program complements the existing church music program. All four programs will begin in the 2006 fall semester.
An additional minor in entrepreneurship was approved under the division of business.
Trustees anticipate a 5.2 increase in total enrollment, including a 15.8 percent increase in graduate enrollment.
The board also approved adding a men's lacrosse team in 2006.
Trustees approved appointment of three new faculty members for the 2006-07 academic year, including Joy Powell, instructor of theatre arts; David Pierce, instructor of sports management; and Marnie Kohler, instructor of psychology.
In addition, 10 faculty were approved for promotion: Jim Bimes, associate professor of education; Brenda Bradford, associate professor of business; Paul Gregory Comfort, professor of health and sport sciences; Mary Ann Conaway, professor of counseling and education; Jerry Deese, associate professor of physics and mathematics; Mark Engelhardt, associate professor of education; James French, professor of education; Ray Killebrew, assistant professor of communications; Pamela Stanfield, associate professor of education; and Mary Vedamuthu, associate professor of chemistry.
(03-10-06)
