There will be no pay raises this fall at the University of Southern Indiana.
In a written statement sent to USI employees, University President Ron Rochon pointed out the university has two primary funding sources: appropriations from the State of Indiana and tuition.
The university’s Board of Trustees recently approved a 2-percent tuition increase and USI received about $1.6 million more in state operating dollars, along with $48 million in capital funds to renovate the 25-year-old Health Professions Building.
But Rochon emphasized the two funding streams “cannot be intermingled.”
He cited enrollment that he characterized as “relatively flat for the past few years” and noted the number of credit hours taken by students is decreasing.
Rochon said to maintain fiscal responsibility there will be no salary increases for the 2019-2020 school year.
Rochson said it’s time to act on credit hour shortfalls, reallocate resources, and “take a hard look” at where the university is headed.
Rochon became the university’s fourth president last July and state records indicate he earned more than $165,000 in his first 6 months on the job.
USI staff received a $500 pay raise for the 2018-2019 school year.
