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Trustees vote to raise tuition 6 percent
Christopher Duray
Issue date: 3/11/09 Section: News
To help reduce university deficit, the board of trustees voted Tuesday to raise tuition 6 percent, a figure that still leaves the school wanting for $11.4 million. At the same meeting, board chairman John Rowe announced his intention to step down after the June trustee meeting.
The trustees also approved increased charges for room fees and meal plans at 6 and 7 percent, respectively. Coupled with the tuition increase, the cost of an year at UConn for in-state undergraduates increased about $1,100, and $2,000 for out-of-state undergraduates.
Without room and board, the tuition increase is nearly $550 for in-state undergrads and about $1,400 for out-of-state undergrads.
In-state graduate students will find themselves paying almost $1,500 more next year, or $600 more without room and board charges. Out-of-state graduate students should expect to pay about $2,400, or $1,500 without room and board.
"As I review the reaction of my colleagues [in regard to a 6 percent increase], I find that everyone is a little upset with me, which is probably the right place to be at this particular point," Rowe said.
The increase was partially influenced by the idea that poorer students could find aid in the stimulus bill recently passed by Congress that provides for tuition-based tax credits and larger Pell grants.
According to Rowe, families that might normally struggle to pay the new tuition will wind up paying $2,000 less for school than they currently do if under a federal tax credit. Hogan projected that anywhere from 50 to 60 percent of students may qualify for such a credit.
Rowe also said he would make sure the school continued to supply financial aid to those who seek it.
The tuition increase provides the school with an extra $15.6 million to help manage the $34 million budget deficit facing the school next year.
Administrators have already cut $12 million - and are preparing to cut a further $7 million - from the university budget, but even with the added tuition money, this leaves a deficit of $11.4 million.
The trustees also approved increased charges for room fees and meal plans at 6 and 7 percent, respectively. Coupled with the tuition increase, the cost of an year at UConn for in-state undergraduates increased about $1,100, and $2,000 for out-of-state undergraduates.
Without room and board, the tuition increase is nearly $550 for in-state undergrads and about $1,400 for out-of-state undergrads.
In-state graduate students will find themselves paying almost $1,500 more next year, or $600 more without room and board charges. Out-of-state graduate students should expect to pay about $2,400, or $1,500 without room and board.
"As I review the reaction of my colleagues [in regard to a 6 percent increase], I find that everyone is a little upset with me, which is probably the right place to be at this particular point," Rowe said.
The increase was partially influenced by the idea that poorer students could find aid in the stimulus bill recently passed by Congress that provides for tuition-based tax credits and larger Pell grants.
According to Rowe, families that might normally struggle to pay the new tuition will wind up paying $2,000 less for school than they currently do if under a federal tax credit. Hogan projected that anywhere from 50 to 60 percent of students may qualify for such a credit.
Rowe also said he would make sure the school continued to supply financial aid to those who seek it.
The tuition increase provides the school with an extra $15.6 million to help manage the $34 million budget deficit facing the school next year.
Administrators have already cut $12 million - and are preparing to cut a further $7 million - from the university budget, but even with the added tuition money, this leaves a deficit of $11.4 million.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
eq2 plat
posted 3/11/09 @ 10:26 PM EST
This is pretty harsh in this time of recession! I just hope that they continue providing financial assistance to us. :(
Strikes again
posted 3/15/09 @ 12:17 AM EST
Wow. Once again, the paper misses the most important information. 6% is what tuition is raised EVERY year to cover inflation and fringe costs. That is normal. (Continued…)
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