May 1, 2026
Dear Colleagues:
Last Fall, I sent you an email describing our budget planning process for next academic year—FY27. I reminded you that, in its 2025-27 biennial budget, the General Assembly reduced our University’s annual operating appropriations by $14 million in both FY26 and FY27. For this current year, we implemented several one-time measures to balance our operating budget. But in my email, I shared that we need to reduce recurring expenses by at least $10 million and, possibly, by as much as $12 million to balance next year’s FY27 budget.
Over the past academic year, we embarked upon a consultative process to address this substantial reduction in revenue. I asked each division and each academic college to submit proposed expense reduction plans across three different scenarios: three percent, five percent, and seven percent.
Throughout this consultative process, we adhered to four guiding principles: maintaining our focus on affordable educational experiences that prepare our students for fulfilling careers and meaningful lives; maintaining our commitment to excellence in teaching, learning, and student support; maintaining our commitment to innovation, agility, efficiency, and fiscal discipline; and maintaining our commitment to recruiting, retaining, and developing outstanding faculty and staff by, among other things, providing a recurring salary increase to our eligible faculty and staff.
Earlier today, the Board approved our recommended FY27 operating budget, which contained the following key elements:
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Expense reductions totaling approximately $8.46 million—or 2.9 percent of recurring operating expenses.
- Differentiated, strategic allocations between colleges and divisions—2.4 percent for academic colleges and 3.4 percent for administrative units. (See this chart for more detail.)
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A three percent recurring salary/merit pool to be allocated pursuant to existing salary plans, plus an additional $250,000 for faculty promotions.
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I am grateful to all faculty and staff for their input over the past year. As a result of their guidance and strategic contributions, we honored our fundamental commitments during this challenging process.
The Trustees also approved my recommendation to provide Days of Beneficence once again in December 2026. This year’s Days of Beneficence will occur on Monday, December 28, 2026; Tuesday, December 29, 2026; Wednesday, December 30, 2026; and Thursday, December 31, 2026. I know that you value these days during the holiday season.
During committee meetings, the Board received several informational presentations, including:
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A presentation from the members of our Student Government Association about various initiatives from the past academic year.
- A presentation from Anand Marri, the provost, and Abby Haworth, assistant vice president for student affairs, about enhancements to our Weeks of Welcome as a result of our transition to a 15-week academic calendar.
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A presentation from Kristen McCauliff, the dean of the College of Communication, Information, and Media. Dean McCauliff shared that CCIM has revised curricula, renovated learning spaces, and enhanced co-curricular programs to maintain a cutting-edge experience for all students.
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At the afternoon meeting, the Board approved my recommendation to reappoint Jim Williams and Keith O’Neal to additional four-year terms as members of the school board governing Muncie Community Schools. I am grateful to Jim and Keith for their sustained commitment to continuing to serve the students and families of MCS.
The Board also authorized me to confer an honorary degree upon Hugh Jackman at our Spring Commencement ceremony tomorrow morning in the Quad. Please join us for all the Commencement activities to celebrate with our graduates and their families and friends.
Finally, the Board authorized Chair Brian Gallagher to negotiate an extension of my contract for an additional two years—through June 30, 2029. As I shared at today’s meeting, I am very grateful for the opportunity to continue serving you. I am also grateful to the Trustees for their confidence in my leadership.
As another academic year concludes, I am grateful for your continued commitment to our students and to our mission. I hope that you have had a productive Spring semester. Please enjoy some time this Summer with your families and your friends.
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Geoffrey S. Mearns
President
Ball State University
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