A report delivered to the Missouri Western Board of Governors today suggest funds per student have declined up to 18 percent in the last four years.

The report comes from Dr. Jim McGill who is a retired financial officer from John Hopkins University and the University of Missouri system.

The report does consider inflation in the last few years as well. The report shows operating revenues increased 11 percent from 48 million to 53 million dollars.

Student enrollment has grown 19 percent. McGill says the financial picture isn’t likely to change.

“Some key functions of the university have been fiscally starved and need to be addressed, including filling some critical vacant positions, salary adjustments and facility maintenance,” McGill stated in the report.

He suggest advocacy, further operating cost reductions, new or expanded initiatives and a review of the support and governance of the university.  The possibility of a 10 percent increase in tuition was also discussed.

“We’re very grateful to Dr. McGill for his analysis,” said Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Missouri Western’s president. “Many of his recommendations are things we’ve been working on, and it’s good to get an outside, objective opinion that we’ve been making good decisions and are headed in the right direction. He’s also suggested some new avenues that we look forward to exploring.”