The $221.6 million general fund budget covers employee salaries and benefits, along with other general operating items. The budget takes into account nearly $10 million in state budget cuts for the 2002-03 fiscal year.

The trustees also passed the auxiliary budget plan, which covers revenues and expenses in areas such as Residence Halls and Dining, Intercollegiate Athletics and other auxiliary operations not contained in the general fund budget.

In compliance with the "Conditions of Cooperation" between the university and AFSCME Local #293, the trustees adopted a proposal from the university's negotiating panel. The union's negotiating team did not forward a proposal to the trustees.

The arrangement provides raises of 2 percent and 4 percent based upon job classifications for union employees and clarifies policies regarding unchallenged sick leave by essential personnel during periods of inclement weather.

In other action, the trustees approved:

• changing the name of the School of Continuing Education and Public Service to the School of Extended Education.
• reconfiguring the College of Business into five departments: Marketing and Management; Information Systems and Operations Management; Accounting; Economics; and Finance and Insurance. The departments were formerly known as: Accounting; Business Information Technology; Economics; Finance and Insurance; Management; and Marketing.
• extending the early retirement program through June 30, 2006. To date, 493 persons have retired under the plan.

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information on this story, contact Glenn Augustine, associate director of university relations at (765) 285-1560,