Board to look into tuition, student fees projections

Factoid:The SIU Board of Trustees will meet at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in the Meridian Ballroom of the Delyte W. Morris University Center at SIU-Edwardsville.

Next year’s incoming freshmen are going to pay $6,340 in tuition and fees if the SIU Board of Trustees passes Chancellor Walter Wendler’s proposed increases.

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The increases include a 15.9-percent tuition hike for the first truth-in-tuition class for the next fiscal year, as well as a 7.1 percent increase for anyone currently enrolled in the University. This is in addition to an 11.3-percent fee increase that was already approved, which would bring tuition and fees to $5,966 next year for returning students taking 15 credit hours.

Wendler said last week that he was keeping his promise for the seven-percent increase, which was made two years ago as part of a four-year package. He said the University spent many hours evaluating costs over the next year to determine the rate for the first truth-in-tuition class. Truth-in-tuition, which Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed into law over the summer, requires the University to freeze tuition for incoming freshman for four years of college.

The Board, which meets at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Edwardsville, will get its first look at projected figures for next year’s returning students and incoming freshmen, though it will not vote on the measure until October.

Board Chair Molly D’Esposito said she believes the figures represent a modest balance between funding and education.

“The revision reflects that very delicate balance of providing the best quality education and at the same time allocates responsibility among all parties during a time when state funds are not plentiful,” she said. “We have to look at other resources.”

Student fees for next year, which have already been approved, will increase $144, most of which goes toward student medical benefits. However, the student recreation fee will increase $12, the athletic fee will go up $10 to $206 and the Student Center fee will go up to $138, a $6 increase.

Next year’s freshmen will pay more than $25,360 for a four-year education. Fees are not affected by the truth-in-tuition bill and can increase annually. University Housing, which requires freshmen to live on campus or with their parents, is also hiking rates to $5,200, a 6.1-percent increase.

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Board member John Brewster said he is concerned about the trend SIUC has begun involving large hikes. Students were handed a 16-percent increase this year, sending tuition and fees to just over $5,500. It followed an 18-percent increase the year before.

“We’ve had a big increase three years in a row, and on and on it goes,” Brewster said. “The administration has laid people off, and they’re probably going to have to let more go. They’re going to have to cut programs and decide what we can afford.

“They can’t just keep taking cuts across the board – they’re going to have to make priorities, and as they say in the trade, they’re going to have to make tough decisions. But that’s what administration gets paid for.”

The Edwardsville campus is also requesting a 13.4-percent tuition hike for its first truth-in-tuition class and a 5.4-percent increase for current students. The increases would bring tuition and fees to $4,649 and $4,379, respectively. The Board will also vote on Edwardsville increases at their October meeting.

Brewster said the board will review the increase recommendations and offer insight to proposed tuition hikes, but historically, they have followed the chancellors’ advice.

“We can either object or accept recommendations,” he said. “But we usually have to go with what they say.”

The Board will also review allocations for Morris Library renovations, which are expected to cost $12 million more than was projected in 2001. The renovations, which will not officially begin until October, were originally allotted about $30 million. However, structural problems and unexpected delays have upped the cost about 40 percent.

Brewster said the board will evaluate other options and may look into cutting aspects of the project rather than handing over millions of dollars.

“What are our other options?” he asked. “What can we cut out without upping the cost?”

D’Esposito said the renovations will simply cost more than anticipated, and they may need to accommodate those needs.

“They plan to use an additional $12 million for the same scope that was approved two years ago,” she said. “Things just cost a lot more than we originally thought.”

Reporter Katie Davis can be reached at [email protected]