An increase in funding from the state allowed the Slippery Rock University Council of Trustees to approve the budget for 2022-23 Friday with a projected surplus of $73,951.

The decision comes after its finance and administrative affairs committee in June reviewed four budget scenarios — all with deficits.

The finalized 2022-23 budget features the surplus despite its total expenditures of $148 million, The expenditures were an increase of 2.9% compared to last year.

The state budget passed in July included a $200 million investment in student tuition and has allocated an additional $75 million for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

SRU received $9.7 million through the state appropriations, helping to offset a deficit resulting from enrollment decreases and increased expenses for services and supplies.

“If we didn't get the funding from commonwealth, we were trying to come up with the best way to survive,” Bill Behre, president of the university, said in July. “Now we are looking at how to thrive.”

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