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Stephen F. Austin State University regents met to discuss various campus initiatives, approving policy revisions and hearing reports during their recent quarterly meeting.

Judi Kruwell, interim vice president of finance and administration, gave a report on the 2022 budget status and an analysis of changes. She explained the previously reported budget deficit of $19.2 million has been revised to $8.6 million after taking into account contingency expenditures in the budget, housing revenues, investment earnings and other nonbudgeted revenue streams.

Kruwell also reported:

Auxiliary revenues are projected to exceed the budget by $2.2 million.
The FY21 ending Unrestricted Net Position of 53.5% exceeds policy requirements by 40% with excess UNP funds primarily consisting of CARES funding received in FY21.
The FY22 operating revenue budget assumed a 5% reduction in mandatory tuition and fee revenue; FY22 projected actual Mandatory Tuition and Fee revenue is estimated to reflect a 6% decrease from FY21.
The FY22 budget-to-actual analysis is due in April.

Enhanced budget reporting designed to provide added transparency will more closely align with annual financial reports.

“We want to be able to provide the information that we need in a more timely manner in order to be able to respond to trends that need to be addressed,” Kruwell said.

Regents also approved revised room and board rates for FY23. After completing a fair-market research assessment that examined similar institutions and other factors, regents approved the 5.0% increase in board rates, excluding dining dollars, and a 4.0% increase in on-campus room rates.

Regents also acknowledged the receipt of annual financial reports from institutionally-related entities.

Regents heard reports from SFA President Scott Gordon; Dr. Brian Uriegas, chair of the Faculty Senate; Megan Weatherly, Staff Council chair; and Lauren Roach, Student Government Association president. Regents also approved:

minutes from previous meetings
grant awards totaling $81,068,198
policy revisions

To view recorded meetings of the SFA Board of Regents, visit sfasu.edu/about-sfa/board-of-regents/meeting-information.

The Stephen F. Austin State University Office of Multicultural Affairs’ eighth annual Diversity Conference, “Engaged and Empowered: Overcoming the Invisible,” will examine diversity, equity and inclusion by providing a platform for presenters to share diversity-related work with conference attendees and engage in vital multicultural dialogue.

“It is important for the SFA community to have a space to have critical conversations regarding diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Veronica Beavers, OMA director. “In addition, it is important to network and learn multiple perspectives regarding diversity, equity and inclusion.”

This year’s keynote speaker is Outspoken Bean, Houston’s 2021-23 Poet Laureate. Labeled “an energetic pioneer for poetry,” Bean uses poetry to engage different mediums and institutions to create new and engaging art. Bean is slated to speak during the conference’s noon luncheon.

Throughout the day, there will be four sets of breakout sessions. Topics of the sessions include:

Bi-ology: Understanding the B in LBGTQ+
Asian Americans in a COVID-19 World
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Travel Industry: Miles to go
El Salvador’s Food Clock
Supporting Students with Children and Caregiving Responsibilities

OMA will host a conference kickoff Thursday, Feb. 10, where Bean will speak and a case study competition will take place.

The conference will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 11 in the BPSC, and check-in will be from 8:30 to 9 a.m. in the Grand Ballroom. The conference is free and open to the public, and registration must be completed by Wednesday, Feb. 9. To register, visit sfasu.edu/oma. Lunch is only guaranteed to those who pre-register.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, last year’s conference was held via Zoom and had approximately 300 attendees. Though this year’s conference will be held in person, there will be a virtual option for those interested.

Those interested in attending virtually must indicate when registering. Zoom links for the virtual sessions will be sent out the week of the conference, which will include the main session along with selected breakout sessions.

For more information, contact OMA at oma@sfasu.edu or (936) 468-1073.

By Nathan Wicker, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University