GREENE COUNTY — Central State University students said they are not surprised that their school has been placed on fiscal watch.
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As reported on News Center 7 at 11:00, students said they have recently noticed some financial changes.
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The university now requires balances for things like housing and food to be paid off before the start of each semester.
Nina Berry is a junior at Central State. She knew the historically Black university reported a budget shortfall of $4 million and could feel it when she registered for classes.
“Biggest problem right now, Central State is making you have a zero balance and a lot of kids already can’t afford college,” Berry said.
Central State’s President said low enrollment is one reason for the financial issue.
“I know a lot of students that are not coming back at all because they can’t afford college. Even with financial aid,” Berry said.
University leaders told the Department of Higher Education about their financial challenges.
The state then put the university on a three-year fiscal watch to improve low-enrollment programs and lower campus expenses.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine spoke with News Center 7 about the fiscal watch on Friday.
He said he wants students to stay focused and optimistic.
“We see some problems there; we want to get them resolved. This will not impact the students in any way. No one should become too alarmed by this. This is something that does happen and now it’s happened to Central State. And we’re going to make sure Central State comes out of this better than ever,” DeWine said.
Despite the university’s financial challenges, visitors said the school still has spirit.
“Homecoming was spectacular this year. I had never seen it be this many people. Neither has my dad, he’s like 75 and graduated from Central so he knows,” Wilberforce resident Singleton Sweeney said.
But Berry said the budget shortfall could be felt at the homecoming celebration.
“That’s another thing, the students had to come out more out of pocket for homecoming this year but every year homecoming is a big expense, all colleges,” Berry said.
Central State is required to increase financial reporting during the fiscal watch.
DeWine said he hopes it won’t take the university the entire three years to get its finances back on track.
News Center 7 will continue to follow this story.
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