Breaking down FSC's budget
Laura Howell
Issue date: 3/27/09 Section: News
A common concern, complaint and assumption from students at Florida Southern College is that the various new buildings and gardens on campus are being funded by money that could be used for other campus needs, such as paying for more faculty.
According to school officials, this is not true.
Terry Dennis, the vice president of finance and administration, said that FSC has two budgets: the operational budget, which is the normal budget, and the capital budget, which is completely funded by donors.
The gardens, new buildings and other campus landmarks are funded by the capital budget-the budget that is maintained by external donations.
"People give money for that purpose," Dr. James Byrd, the dean of arts and sciences, said.
In fact, each garden and building has a plaque that states the naming donors of the project. None of these say 'tuition money' or 'professors' paychecks' on them.
"All of the new buildings and garden spaces throughout campus have been funded entirely through personal gifts from trustees, alumni and friends of the college," Provost Russell Warren said.
Dennis also said that refurbishing Frank Lloyd Wright landmarks does not come out of the operational budget. Areas of the state budget and tourist budget-both budgets outside of FSC's operational budget-contribute to the preservation and restoration of the buildings, and private donors pay too.
These restorations would not have occurred without these grants from outside sources.
Also, the capital budget cannot be re-directed to pay for salaries.
"We can't switch the money to another use," Byrd said.
According to school officials, this is not true.
Terry Dennis, the vice president of finance and administration, said that FSC has two budgets: the operational budget, which is the normal budget, and the capital budget, which is completely funded by donors.
The gardens, new buildings and other campus landmarks are funded by the capital budget-the budget that is maintained by external donations.
"People give money for that purpose," Dr. James Byrd, the dean of arts and sciences, said.
In fact, each garden and building has a plaque that states the naming donors of the project. None of these say 'tuition money' or 'professors' paychecks' on them.
"All of the new buildings and garden spaces throughout campus have been funded entirely through personal gifts from trustees, alumni and friends of the college," Provost Russell Warren said.
Dennis also said that refurbishing Frank Lloyd Wright landmarks does not come out of the operational budget. Areas of the state budget and tourist budget-both budgets outside of FSC's operational budget-contribute to the preservation and restoration of the buildings, and private donors pay too.
These restorations would not have occurred without these grants from outside sources.
Also, the capital budget cannot be re-directed to pay for salaries.
"We can't switch the money to another use," Byrd said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Melissa
Debbie Hearon
posted 3/31/09 @ 8:08 PM EST
Why are they donating to fund these things instead of the real meaning behind college, EDUCATION? If there are problems in funding for the real reason students are going to this school, THEN THIS SCHOOL REALLY HAS A MAJOR PROBLEM!! Why hasn't the school tried to get donations geared towards education too? There should be a fund for that too, NOT JUST FOR BEAUTIFICATION, LANDSCAPING, ETC. (Continued…)
Miami Movers
posted 4/22/09 @ 11:41 AM EST
That's a good point, why aren't the donors donating to improve the education rather than improving the visual appearance of the campus? In any case, it's good that this was cleared up. (Continued…)
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