A recent memorandum from the Provost’s office provided updates regarding the final outcome of the budget process.

The Iowa legislature finalized state appropriations on June 30. As part of the budget, education appropriations suffered a 3.6 percent cut from the previous year’s funding. This is less than the original 6 percent cut proposed by Gov. Terry Branstad.

Cuts were also made to economic development and agriculture appropriations, which suffered a 5.88 percent cut. Appropriations cuts totaled $11,507,351, including $206,658 in cuts to the ISU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

Also cut were Extension and Outreach programs ($675,669), the Small Business Development Center ($58,584), the ISU Research Park ($7,656) and the Institute for Physical Research and Technology ($85,441). General funding for the university took a $9,392,898 cut.

Appropriations cuts are awaiting Gov. Terry Branstad’s final approval.

The memo stated projected tuition revenue. This fall, the size of the incoming class is expected to exceed that of last year’s. Based on the incoming class size and tuition rates approved by the Board of Regents, Iowa State University is expecting a $31.2 million increase in tuition revenue during the 2011 fiscal year.

Associate Vice President of Budget and Planning Ellen Rasmussen declined to comment until a final budget is approved — something that won’t happen until late July. 

Assistant to the President for Communications John Anderson and ISU State Relations Officer Ann McCarthy were not available for comment.