Baylor Regents Approve Operating Budget, Elect New Regents

- Board also approves master of public health degree in community health education -

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The Baylor University Board of Regents at its spring meeting today approved a $389 million operating budget for 2009-2010.

Next year's budget, which takes effect June 1, reflects an increase of $27 million or 7.4 percent over the original 2008-2009 budget adopted by Baylor Regents last year. It includes an increase of $10.9 million or 11 percent to support merit and need-based scholarships, graduate assistantships and scholarships for Baylor Law School, Truett Seminary and athletics.

Personnel costs will increase by $18.1 million or 8.2 percent, which will support approximately 23 new full-time faculty positions, 44 replacement faculty positions and 47 net new staff positions, as well as merit raises for faculty and staff. In addition, the budget will support higher stipends for graduate assistantships, especially in engineering and science, and increased funding for student workers since more students are seeking campus employment.

In other board action, Regents elected R. Dary Stone of Dallas to serve a one-year term as chair. He will succeed Dr. Howard K. Batson, effective June 1. Dr. Duane Brooks of Houston was elected vice chair, succeeding Donell Teaff.

"Record levels of student applications, nationally recognized academic accomplishments, thrilling athletic successes, combined with a continued commitment to our distinct Christian identity and mission, have made this an exciting year for the Baylor family," Stone said. "Because of the efforts of our faculty, students, alumni, staff and coaches, Baylor is on a trajectory that shows no sign of receding."

The board elected four new Regents to three-year terms: Ronald Dean Murff, BBA '75, senior executive vice president and chief financial officer of Guaranty Financial Group Inc., Dallas; David Harlan Harper, BBA '88, partner/attorney and chair of Litigation North Section, Haynes and Boone LLP, Dallas; Robert (Bob) E. Beauchamp, president and CEO of BMC Software Inc., Houston; and Kathy Wills Wright, BSEd '85, MSEd '88, president of Legacy Educational Foundation, Arlington, Va.

A fifth new Regent, Linda Jean Brian of Amarillo, was appointed by the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Brian, BA '69, is part-time assistant director of education at Sylvan Learning Center in Amarillo.

"These individuals are highly-respected business and education leaders who bring tremendous quality and diversity of experience to the board," Batson said. "They each have a sincere desire to serve Baylor and help the institution reach even greater heights in the years ahead."

The board also expressed its appreciation to Regents who have completed their terms: Batson, Teaff, Carl W. Bell of Dallas, Dr. Phil Lineberger of Sugar Land, Dr. Belinda A. Reyes of Dallas and Jim L. Turner of Dallas.

In other business, Regents approved the conversion of an existing master of science in education degree with specialization in health education to a master of public health degree with specialization in community health education (MPH-CHE). The program will be administered by the department of health, human performance and recreation within Baylor's School of Education. The widely recognized public health degree, combined with community health education and Baylor's planned global health concentration, will better engage faculty and students in faith-based public health service, research and global learning.

"As chair of the board for the past year, I am very pleased with all that the university has accomplished, especially during a period of transition," Batson said. "As we look to the future, I know the board is fully committed to ensuring that we're achieving the level of success we have envisioned for Baylor. Our Interim President David Garland and his leadership team have done an outstanding job and have the unwavering support of Baylor Regents as they continue to move the university forward."