NEWS | October 15, 2003

Tuition and Fees
Congress debates tuition increases
One senator says students who don’t voice their concerns now shouldn’t complain about hikes.

The Shorthorn: Mark Roberts Kent Gardner, vice president for student affairs, responds to questions regarding tuition increases expected in the spring during the Student Congress meeting Tuesday in the group’s chambers. Dr. Gardner is a member of the Tuition Review Committee. Senators encourage students to attend an open forum on the topic at noon today in Nedderman Hall’s Hall of Flags.

By Josie Garcia
The Shorthorn staff

Student Congress senators and a handful of students voiced their concerns about future tuition increases during Tuesday’s SC meeting.

The open forum was one of two this week during which students can ask questions and provide feedback on the possible spring and fall 2004 tuition increases. The second forum is at noon today in Nedderman Hall’s Hall of Flags.

During the meeting, some senators asked how students on financial aid would pay for spring tuition, which could increase $15 per credit hour under the current proposal. The proposal recommends increasing fall 2004 tuition an additional $20 per credit hour, with upper- and graduate-level courses in engineering and nursing costing more.

Engineering Senator Brandon Krausse said some constituents he talked to said they don’t know how they will pay their tuition when financial aid is awarded in the fall for the academic year.

“Students are going to end up short approximately $650 in the spring,” he said. “They budgeted for the current prices.”

SC President Josh Warren said he has heard concerns from international students who do not qualify for aid generated by the increases. State law mandates that the university must set aside 20 percent of the revenue generated by the increases for financial aid to help students cope with the higher costs.

International students “are going to feel this more than any of the Texas resident students,” Warren said.

Warren, also chair of the Tuition Review Committee, explained how administrators came up with the numbers for their proposal. Some of the figures administrators cited needing include $3 million for new faculty, $8 million for increased salaries and benefits and $4.5 million for financial aid.

Administrators presented their proposal at a Tuition Review Committee meeting Sept. 30.

The committee, charged with recommending a proposal to interim President Charles Sorber, will begin its deliberations in a closed meeting Thursday. He will then make recommendations to the UT System Board of Regents. The regents will set tuition for all UT System components Nov. 18.

Warren said the increase would help pay for more tenured and tenure-track faculty to keep the university competitive.

Anthropology senior Jennifer Lucas said students need the tuition increase if they want their degrees to have value after graduation.

“Sometimes you have to spend money to make money,” she said.

The 41-year-old student said she was in business before returning to school. Lucas said she would rather pay the increases to be able to compete academically with other students when she applies for graduate school.

Students were to encouraged attend today’s forum to learn more about the tuition increases.

“This is their opportunity to have a voice in this process,” Warren said. “After this, it’s too late. This is their chance to have an input beforehand.”

Education senator Chrysanne Mason said that with some of the misconceptions about tuition increases and deregulation, students should attend.

“If you’re not going to be there, don’t bitch about it,” she said.

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