The newsletter for the WKU community
June 15, 2022
Regents approve $383.4 million budget
WKU’s Board of Regents on Friday approved a $383.4 million budget for fiscal year 2023, an increase of nearly $8 million compared to the prior year’s budget. The budget includes a 2% salary pool to address cost of living increases, pay gaps and inversion, remedy compression, and reward performance.

The fiscal year 2023 budget marks the university’s full transition to a Resource Allocation, Management and Planning (RAMP) budget model. RAMP is an approach that uses the principles of responsibility-centered management (RCM) and is a financial management philosophy that supports decentralized decision-making and rewards the performance of campus units.

WKU President Timothy C. Caboni noted that the transition to a RAMP model provides significant benefits to the institution. “I’m proud of the transparency it creates for the entire campus. This is a tool for growth that serves us well going forward,” he said.
CLIMBING HIGHER
Gatton Academy students are ready to engage in face-to-face summer opportunities after two years of virtual or modified experiences. Learn More
WKU PBS nominated for three Ohio Valley Emmy Awards
WKU PBS has been nominated for awards in three categories for the 58th Annual Ohio Valley Emmy Awards. The awards will be presented July 30 in Columbus, Ohio.
13th annual WKU Storm Chase was 'the most unusual year'
The 13th annual WKU Storm Chase class “was the most unusual year,” University Meteorologist Josh Durkee said. How unusual? “We did not see a single tornado,” he said. “The first thing people ask is how many tornadoes did you see. But the point of the class is to teach students how to forecast severe weather and document severe weather outcomes. Even though we didn’t see any tornadoes this year, we saw plenty of severe weather.”
Spotlight: Cassidy Ratterman
Cassidy Ratterman, a CHHS graduate student, is completing her third and final clinical rotation at Frazier Rehab Institute in Louisville. Working toward her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP), Ratterman said she chose Frazier because it’s a nationally recognized facility devoted to providing extensive education and experience to students.
WKU senior receives annual Lee Robertson Scholarship
Ashira Gibbs, a WKU senior from Brentwood, Tenn., has been named the recipient of the annual Lee Robertson Scholarship. The award is presented in honor of Lee Robertson and administered by the WKU Alumni Association. Known by Hilltoppers as “Mr. Western” in recognition of his 60-plus-year relationship with the University, Robertson will celebrate his 100th birthday on Thursday. More about Lee Robertson: 100 Facts for 100 Years
Dean's/President's Lists
WKU has released the Dean's/President's Lists for the spring 2022 semester.
WKU faculty member awarded grant to promote health equity
Dr. Jason Crandall, an Associate Professor of Exercise Science & Kinesiology and Co-Director of the Center for Applied Science in Health and Aging in the WKU College of Health and Human Services, was recently awarded a grant from the Kentucky Department of Public Health to promote health equity and COVID-19 immunizations in underserved populations across Kentucky through the popular health program he created, Bingocize®.
Prepay Reservations Permit
Do you travel to campus occasionally? Are you interested in only paying for parking when you use it? If so, you may be interested in pay-as-you-go alternatives to an annual parking permit.
Summer Dining Hours
WKU Restaurant Group reminds the campus community about summer dining hours. Fresh Food Company, Starbucks and Rising Roll are open through Aug. 5.
View from the Hill
WKU’s concrete canoe team sailed to the university’s best finish ever at a national competition. WKU's Amy Bingham caught up with members of the team in this View from the Hill.
Athletics
June
16
Thursday
Planetarium Show

Starry Tales for a Summer Night will be presented at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Hardin Planetarium. Learn More
June
20
Monday
Juneteenth Holiday

WKU offices will be closed Monday for the Juneteenth Holiday.
June
21
Tuesday
Virtual Info Fair

The Graduate School and the WKU Alumni Association are teaming up for a Virtual Info Fair from 6 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday to help WKU graduates learn more about the opportunities available to go beyond your bachelor's degree. Learn More
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Bowling Green, KY 42101