The Baker University Board of Trustees will meet to approve next year’s budget Friday.

Chief Operating Officer Susan Lindahl said the 2009-2010 budget will be about $37 million, which is between $3 million and $4 million less than the 2008-2009 budget.

University President Pat long said this is partly based on a very conservative revenue projection.

“I think we have a good projection for next year,” Long said.

Lindahl said the budget was made with students in mind. During a budget summit, a large focus was how to save money without affecting students. She said the most important thing to ensure is that students are learning, and that they are graduating.

“It won’t be easy, but it’s very doable,” she said.

Lindahl said Baker’s enrollment numbers continue to grow, and that will be a big help.

The trustees also will have a chance to talk to students during lunch. May’s BOT meeting usually has been a venue for students to present accomplishments, but will be slightly different this year.

Long said a representative from each of Baker’s campuses will be speaking to the trustees, giving them feedback from students.

Student Senate President Patti Greenbaum will be in charge of discussing concerns from Baker’s College of Arts and Sciences campus.

Greenbaum said she plans to discuss concerns such as Baker’s off-campus housing policy, a potential cut from FY 100 leader’s salary and the weight room’s policy of being open to the community.

“It will mostly be addressing concerns so that we can have a change,” Greenbaum said.

Along with these, she also will be giving positive feedback about the trayless campaign in the cafeteria and discuss the positive outcomes in athletics over the past year. <br/>