Ball State University details cuts, approves tuition hike

MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) - Ball State University says it was forced to eliminate 25 positions, curb travel and reduce supplies to avoid ending fiscal year 2019 with a budget shortfall.

The Star Press reports the central Indiana school's board of trustees was given the update on Wednesday before the board approved a $391.2 million 2019-20 general fund budget that calls for an increase in tuition and fees of 1.25%. The newspaper says that's the lowest increase since 1977.

The reductions of 25 positions, travel spending and supply expenditures saved $4.5 million.

The school's Treasurer Bernard (Mike) Hannon says: "The confluence of it all is a cut in state appropriations, a very low tuition rate increase, and other parts of the budget going up, like health care and utilities, that we can't control."

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Information from: The Star Press, http://www.thestarpress.com