The Board of Trustees today approved the operating budget for the 2003 fiscal year, and revisions to the 2002 budget.  At the conclusion of the conference call meeting Friday, Dr. Les Wyatt made the following statement in regards to operating budgets and athletics:

"During the past several months, we at Arkansas State University have been focusing attention on how we might solve a number of budgetary issues as we near the close of the current fiscal year and prepare to begin another year. While there were many issues facing us, much of the public interest in the budget process was focused on one particular issue -- that involving the Auxiliary Budget and financial support for intercollegiate athletics.

"Most recently, we have worked closely with the staff of the Legislative Joint Audit Committee and others in state government with expertise in law and accounting to find the best solution. We sought to identify a course of action which would meet not only the letter but the intent of the law governing institutional support for intercollegiate athletics. I can assure you that this plan was not reached in haste, and that these changes represent what we believe are in the best interests of our students and the other constituents we serve.

"With the adoption of the budget for the 2003 fiscal year, the Board of Trustees has approved a plan that we believe will continue to be in full compliance with Arkansas law. The budget will be submitted to the Arkansas Department of Higher Education next Tuesday.

"All of us at Arkansas State University will continue operating the programs for student athletes in a responsible manner. Ultimately, every student athlete deserves a chance to succeed, not only on the fields and courts of competition but also in the classroom. We want to be supportive of those students who have come to ASU for their education and their athletic pursuits. We believe that the changes we are implementing through this new budget will help provide that support, and that we will see greater measures of success for these students in the future."

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