2008 Woodie Awards
Board passes tuition increase
Eric Elizondo
Issue date: 2/19/08 Section: Front Page
University President Robert Ivany announced in the Star View publication Feb. 5 a 6.8 percent increase in the cost of tuition for the 2008-2009 school year. Tuition has increased by $238 per credit hour since 2002, including the most recent increase-a 54.7% increase in the last six years.
UST's Board of Directors approved the 6.8 percent increase--raising undergraduate fees from $630 to $673 per credit hour and graduate fees from $705 to $753 per credit hour.
Ivany said two major reasons caused the tuition increase: the cost-of -living index, which includes salaries, and enhancement of the University by providing better services and facilities.
"It's a balancing act every year in terms of how much money intake we have and how much we can provide," Ivany said.
James Booth, vice president of finance, said that more than 60 percent of the University's costs are personnel related. "In the last three years we have been one of the lowest in regards to increases," he said. "We've done a pretty good job at keeping tuition as low as we can, which I know is a small comfort to those who have to write the check every semester. But in terms of increases, we've been pretty modest."
Ivany said that in the past three years, the University has averaged a 5 percent increase per year. Ivany also said that, with the tuition increase, the University will allocate more money for tuition assistance.
Beginning next fall, students will also be required to pay two new fees. A technology fee of $50 for undergraduates and a $30 fee for graduate students will be charged to help pay for additional and continued technology improvements. Students will also be required to pay a $25 fee per science laboratory course.
Booth said that although the budget has not yet been finalized, he expects roughly a 10 percent increase in institutional aid to students.
Both Booth and Ivany stressed that the increase in student aid is not useful unless students apply for the aid by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
UST's Board of Directors approved the 6.8 percent increase--raising undergraduate fees from $630 to $673 per credit hour and graduate fees from $705 to $753 per credit hour.
Ivany said two major reasons caused the tuition increase: the cost-of -living index, which includes salaries, and enhancement of the University by providing better services and facilities.
"It's a balancing act every year in terms of how much money intake we have and how much we can provide," Ivany said.
James Booth, vice president of finance, said that more than 60 percent of the University's costs are personnel related. "In the last three years we have been one of the lowest in regards to increases," he said. "We've done a pretty good job at keeping tuition as low as we can, which I know is a small comfort to those who have to write the check every semester. But in terms of increases, we've been pretty modest."
Ivany said that in the past three years, the University has averaged a 5 percent increase per year. Ivany also said that, with the tuition increase, the University will allocate more money for tuition assistance.
Beginning next fall, students will also be required to pay two new fees. A technology fee of $50 for undergraduates and a $30 fee for graduate students will be charged to help pay for additional and continued technology improvements. Students will also be required to pay a $25 fee per science laboratory course.
Booth said that although the budget has not yet been finalized, he expects roughly a 10 percent increase in institutional aid to students.
Both Booth and Ivany stressed that the increase in student aid is not useful unless students apply for the aid by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.