By Signe K. Skinion

SIUC students could be paying an extra $17 each semester starting in fiscal year 1998 if the SIU Board of Trustees approve across the board fee increases, University officials say.

Lawrence A. Juhlin, Jr., associate vice chancellor of Student Affairs, said the board will vote on student fee increases in several areas for fiscal year 1998.

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The proposal is on a four-year projection and includes a $2 increase for the student Recreation Center; a $1 increase for the students’ attorney; a $4 increase for the Student Center, which has not had any fee increase in the past 10 years, Juhlin said. Also, there was a proposal for a $1 increase for Mass Transit, but that has been dropped because it is not needed. The proposal includes $3 for the Health Center and $7 for student health insurance.

Juhlin said the board will have two meetings to discuss and vote on these student fee increases. He said the increases will most likely be discussed at the April and May board meetings.

Jean Paratore, associate vice chancellor of Student Affairs, said the board is looking at funding increases two years in advance because of a recent Illinois Board of Higher Education decision that limits universities from increasing student fees by more than 3 percent each fiscal year.

We’re (SIUC administration) looking at not increasing fees beyond 3 or 4 percent, Paratore said.

Another proposed student fee increase of $2.25 to be paid in a two year period starting in the fall of 1997 is the main focus of tonight’s Undergraduate Student Government meeting.

Eric Bottom, USG Finance Committee chairman and College of Business senator, said the resolution needs to be passed because it would help student organizations keep up with the rate of inflation and satisfy student needs.

David Vingren, Finance Committee member and Thompson Point senator, said the resolution would lead to better registered student organization funding.

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We (USG) see these priority two organizations coming in to request money during general fee allocation time and getting shortchanged, Vingren said. They are only getting $400 to $500 when they need three times that to fund their events. It’s obvious the student activity fee of $18.75 is not enough.

Bottom said the resolution will be important to SIUC students in future years.

This is something we should look to for the future, Bottom said. Even if it gets voted down, future USG Senates will have to look to this possibility, and it may be more than $2.25.

The senate meeting will be at 7 p.m. in Ballroom B of the Student Center.

The SIU Board of Trustees will decide on the student fee increases before the end of fiscal year 1996.