This article is from the EMU News Archive. The approximate date of publication was in November 2003. Current EMU news is available at www.emu.edu/news

TO EMU HEADLINE NEWS | PRESIDENT'S OFFICE

EMU Board Approves Budget, Looks Ahead

Actions on budget operations and administrative reporting occupied the Eastern Mennonite University board of trustees during their Nov. 7-8 meeting on campus.

The board approved a final operating budget of $23.6 million for the 2003-2004 fiscal year, nearly the same amount as last year. The budget includes $419,000 in capital funds for renewal and replacement needs and calls for contributions to the University Fund of $1.43 million to be received by June 30, 2004.

The University Fund helps close the gap between tuition income and actual operating costs at EMU, provides financial assistance to students and funds technology upgrades and other campus improvements.

The board also authorized the purchase of the H.D. Weaver house along Mt. Clinton Pike on the southeast corner of campus. The property is currently rented by EMU and used by the Conflict Transformation Program for offices.

In remarks to the board as interim president, Beryl H. Brubaker said that "while we have the same purposes as our founders had when the school began in 1917, we've had recurring conversations on and off campus about the role of the university in relation to controversial issues in the church.

"As we consider what we want to be about as an institution, we have reiterated our commitment to academic excellence and to our shared values of Christian discipleship, community, service and peacebuilding," Brubaker said. "We want to keep student learning at the core and to model the kind of discussion that invites people into thoughtful conversation, rather than engaging in argumentative debate that polarizes people.

"The most helpful question in all our conversations is: how can we be a genuine Christian university in the 21st century?" she said.

"Let us continue to seek the face of God as we wrestle with these important questions," Brubaker told the board.

Loren E. Swartzendruber, president-elect of EMU, attended the board meeting and reported on activities during his current six-month transition and orientation period.

Dr. Swartzendruber noted that he has met with presidents of numerous Christian colleges and universities across the country for learning and counsel, attended Mennonite Church USA biennial meeting in Atlanta in July and Mennonite World Conference in Zimbabwe in August, met with church leaders in Lancaster, Atlantic Coast and other Mennonite conferences and with Philadelphia area pastors.

He and his wife Patricia moved from Hesston, Kan., where Swartzendruber had been president of Hesston College, to southeastern Pennsylvania and are attending Salford Mennonite Church, Harleysville. He will assume office on Jan. 1, 2004, as the university's eighth president.

He commended Brubaker for her ""excellent leadership" as interim president, noting that she "has provided a strong foundation for me to build on."

Posted: November 13, 2003