Despite a less than positive economic outlook at Jacksonville State University, President Dr. William Meehan told the Board of Trustees on Monday morning that he remains positive about the future of the school.

"Gov. Riley has submitted his budget for the fiscal year 2011, recommending the total budget for Jacksonville State University with stimulus funding amounting to $42,177,172," Meehan stated.

Meehan then shared a report stating that the total loss in state funding since fiscal year 2007-2008 has been 18.5 percent, or around $9.1 million. The report said that the University would have lost over 25 percent if not for this year's $3.3 million in stimulus funding.

"We are grateful for the stimulus funds," said Meehan. "But, the stimulus money after this next fiscal year will go away. Our economic situation has not recovered and proration is still a threat to this fiscal year. Even though there are signs that our country's economy is improving, we have yet to feel those effects here in Alabama."

However, Meehan sees no layoffs or cutbacks ahead.

"We will continue the efficiency at JSU that has allowed us to avoid the furloughs and layoffs that other institutions have experienced," said Meehan.

Giving an update on the stadium expansion to the board, Meehan said that the housing component of the project is projected to be completed by mid-June and the stadium component to be completed by mid-August, in time for the first home football game against Chattanooga.

"I think that this will be something everyone is going to be proud of," said Board member G. Mack Roberts.

Meehan also addressed the University's sidewalk project along Alabama Highway 204. Meehan said that the project was broken into two phases, the first being from the highway to the Chief Ladiga Trail and the second running from the trail to the corner of 204 and Park Avenue. According to the Alabama Department of Highway Transportation, the FHWA has not authorized Phase I due to Federal funding issues, but Phase II has been cleared. Meehan said that despite criticism, the recommendation is to proceed with Phase II.

"We believe [Phase I] will come in time," said Meehan.

Meehan said that 8,752 students were enrolled in the spring semester — one student less than last year.

"The number of first time transfer students rose 15.5 percent from last spring," Meehan said. "Enrollment for the College of Nursing and Heath Science rose by 13 percent and was the only college to see a gain in enrollment for the Spring Term."

During the Academic and Student Affairs report, the board heard about the effects that changes made last year in the way JSU awarded scholarships affected the number of scholarships accepted. Changes include: lowering some ACT score requirements for some scholarships, focusing on those who chose JSU to send their ACT scores to, eliminating the scholarship application requirements, and giving students from the 10 adjoining Georgia counties in-state tuition status.

"Our new process for awarding scholarships has generated enormous interest, commitments, and numbers of freshmen for next year," said Dr. Rebecca Turner, vice-president for Academic and Student Affairs.

Marin Weldon, coordinator of scholarships at JSU, showed the board the results of those changes. For 2009-2010, 342 scholarships were offered with 206 being accepted. As of January 20th, 1,197 scholarships have been offered for 2010-2011 with 401 accepted. Note that the scholarships can still be accepted up to March 1st, so the number may rise.

Oval James, director of athletics, also gave a report to the board. James complemented the University's volleyball team on its 17-1 season in which the Gamecocks won the program's fourth Ohio Valley Conference title in the past five years and first NCAA tournament win with a 3-2 defeat of Florida A&M. Volleyball coach Rick Nold, who was chosen OVC Coach of the Year, received a standing ovation during the meeting.

ACE Tutoring Services reported serving a record number of JSU athletes during the Fall 2009 semester, and according to James, the average GPA for Jacksonville's student-athletes during Fall 2009 was 2.9, with 10 teams receiving a 3.0 GPA or better.

James also reported that the university's football team would be eligible for post-season play in the 2010 season after improving its APR scores.