The U Board of Trustees got its first look at the proposed tuition increase Monday, as two administrators led the governing board through a discussion of the 9.3 percent hike.
The board, comprised of community leaders with ties to campus, approved of the tuition and fee hike, which will generate an additional $5 million in a year when the U lost nearly $20 million in budget cuts and unrenewed one-time funding.
The increase will cost students $284 more a year and will raise tuition to about $3,300 total for students taking 15 credit hours per semester. The increase also includes a $17.50 fee for fuel and power costs that the state Legislature failed to cover. Administrators plan to remove the fee once the Legislature increases its fuel and power funding.
The money will mostly go to academic departments to keep as many class offerings open to students as possible. Some of the funds will go to the library and computer services. About $300,000 will help fund faculty health and dental benefits, and $250,000 will create a small scholarship program for those who can’t afford the tuition increase. The new program will create 1,000 $250 loans.
Administrators now must make the pitch to students at a March 20 information meeting in the Fine Arts Auditorium from 1 to 3 p.m., where U President Bernie Machen will outline why he believes the increase must stay at 9.3 percent.
While administrators are not required to use student input, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs David Pershing said the comments of students can change this year’s proposal and future tuition decisions as well.
At the end of this week, the state Board of Regents will discuss the 3 percent tuition increase it already approved and may either keep it the same or increase it.
Either way, U administrators say the tuition and fees increase will not rise above 9.3 percent. The Regents will vote on the remaining 6.3 percent increase at the meeting next month.