After holding a public budget hearing, the Southwest Michigan College Board of Trustees adopted the college’s 2013-2014 fiscal-year budget for the year beginning July 1. It is a balanced budget of $22,824,000.

 

 “Southwestern Michigan College has adopted a structurally balanced budget each and every year since the college was founded in 1964,” said  Board Chairman Dr. Fred L. Mathews. “I am very proud of the board of trustees and the college administration for their unwavering commitment to sound fiscal management, and for identifying creative ways to increase opportunities for students within the constraints of a balanced budget.”

 

SMC President Dr. David Mathews described the budget development process this year as a “zero-based” budgeting approach.

 

“Every departmental budget was re-constructed from scratch, making sure that the college was allocating all of our available resources in the most efficient and beneficial way for our students,” said David Mathews. “Significant highlights of the budget approved by trustees include: four new full-time faculty positions in psychology, mathematics, criminal justice and communications; restructured student services in newly renovated spaces; a major renovation and academic program expansion at the college’s Niles Campus, and increased expenditures on college-wide security.”

 

In addition to adopting the college’s 2013-2014 operating budget, the board accepted gifts and grants, awarded service pins and conducted other business during its June 17 meeting on the Dowagiac campus.

 

In his president’s report, Mathews announced the public is invited to two on-campus events this summer. A Monday, July 8, open house will showcase SMC’s new 21st century customer service center in the College Services Building on the Dowagiac campus from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A ribbon-cutting ceremony and tours will be followed by a light lunch.

 

A grand re-opening ceremony of the Niles Campus will showcase the first phase of the $3 million renovation and program expansion from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 10. Admissions advisors will be on-duty and tours will be available. Lunch will be provided at the Niles event, along with music and family-oriented events.