The Texas Southern University (TSU) Board of Regents unanimously approved the universitys fiscal year 2007-08 operating budget at a special called meeting on September 1, 2007. The total budget of $139,936,351 represents a 7.38% increase over fiscal year 2007.

Mr. Billy Owens, Interim Chief Financial Officer, provided details of the budget which included $1,350,000 to hire staff, accountants and consultants in order to fully staff the universitys financial and accounting functions. The additional staff is part of the new administrations pledge to restore financial credibility to university accounting and financial systems. Owens, who began his tenure at the university in July, is a noted financial turnaround expert with substantial experience in restoring credibility to financial operations at other HBCUs. Owens noted that the budget is balanced and includes debt service payments.

Highlights of the budget presentation included: 1. No faculty/staff reductions 2. Projected headcount of almost 10,000 students 3. Designated tuition increase of $15 per credit hour 4. Increases in IT and utilities costs 5. Reduction in athletic budget

About Texas Southern University
Texas Southern University is one of the nation's largest historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) with over 9,500 students. TSU provides a quality educational experience, offering over 120 baccalaureate, masters and doctoral degree programs in nine schools and colleges. The University focuses on high quality teaching, research and public service as a means of preparing students of diverse backgrounds, cultures and levels of scholastic achievement for leadership roles in the urban communities of our state, nation and world.