UM will not increase tuition or sell alcohol at sporting events to fix the problem, said UM President George Dennison.
In a panel discussion on Thursday, Dennison told a crowd of faculty, staff and students that he is firmly against selling alcohol at UM games. Although alcohol sales would likely be a quick and even generous revenue source, UM won't consider the notion.
Next week at the Montana Board of Regents meeting, UM will talk about its plan to stabilize the budget. That plan, Dennison said, includes increasing the price of season tickets, raising membership dues for the Grizzly Scholarship Association, scheduling a seventh home football game, reducing event management costs and reducing travel costs.
With the UM plan, and support from UM's general fund, the deficit will be taken care of by June 30, 2007, he said.
"I will not propose a tuition increase to pay off debt," Dennison said. "We have, however, proposed an increase in student athletic fees to prevent something like this from happening again."
UM officials were caught by surprise last fall when audits in the athletic department uncovered accounting problems in the budget and overspending. Although they had some indication there were problems in October, in November they told regents the budget was balanced and they were expecting a surplus for the 2004 fiscal year.
Dennison said he did not know the full extent of the deficit until February. When he found out, he informed the state commissioner of higher education and the regent chairman.
If regents approve an increase in student athletic fees, and the north end zone football expansion is paid off with ticket revenue in four years, and the deficit is taken care of, it is possible that UM officials would consider lowering the fee, he said.
If the student athletic fee is not approved, "one way or another we will meet the deficit plan," Dennison said.
UM student government leaders are working with UM's top administrators to develop funding alternatives, said Gale Price, vice president for the Associated Students of the University of Montana.
Charging students for game tickets is one idea that is being discussed, she said.
Balancing the athletic department's budget will be made easier when a new fiscal manager is hired, said Bob Duringer, UM's vice president for finance and administration. The position has been dark since the department's former fiscal manager, Rob Edwards, resigned in September.
Duringer said the position will be filled by May 1 and pay a $43,000 to $48,000 salary, depending on experience. Unlike past protocol, the person hired will report directly to Duringer's office. Until recently, the fiscal manager reported primarily to former Athletic Director Wayne Hogan, who resigned March 3.
Despite the change, interim Athletic Director Marie Porter will work closely with the new fiscal officer, which is a good thing, Duringer said.
"The whole crux of this is to live within the budget, and that is a challenge," he said. "With Marie in the seat, we will be able to live within the budget."
Reporter Betsy Cohen can be reached at 523-5253 or at bcohen@missoulian.com
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