Missouri Western’s Board of Governors has approved salary increase for faculty and staff and the expansion of its athletic programs.

The operating budget for 2016-2017 totals approximately $53.3 million, up slightly from the current year’s estimated budget of nearly $53 million. The auxiliary budget totals approximately $11.6 million, down from the current year’s estimated budget of almost $13 million. Both budgets include a 2 percent wage and salary increase for faculty and staff.

Both budgets are affected by an anticipated drop in enrollment this fall reducing tuition and fees. By attaining five of five performance funding measures, the University will receive a 4 percent increase in state appropriations for the 2017 fiscal year which will help to offset the drop in the operating budget. Both budgets will rely on reserve spending in the coming year.

The Board also approved the addition of six new sports to Missouri Western’s athletics program: men’s and women’s indoor track and field, men’s and women’s outdoor track and field, and men’s and women’s cross country. The sports would begin competing in 2017-2018.

The addition of the six sports involves funding 18 scholarships and hiring a head coach, assistant coach and three graduate assistants. Because NCAA Division II relies on a partial-scholarship model to administer athletics-based financial aid, the additional expenses are projected to be offset by the increase in tuition and fee revenue from up to 70 additional student-athletes.

The board also approved additional scholarships for two existing programs: women’s soccer will add 2.5 scholarships, and baseball will add 2.1, bringing both up to the NCAA Division II maximum (9.9 for women’s soccer, 9 for baseball). The additional scholarships are projected to bring in an additional 15 student-athletes.