August 8, 2006 issue
Board of Regents approve tuition increases for 2006-07

By Ward Mullens and Ron Podell

 

The Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents approved a range of tuition and mandatory fee increases for 2006-07 at a special meeting July 21. The range includes a 6-percent increase in tuition and fees for resident undergraduate students while resident graduate students will see a 4-percent tuition increase. The total dollar increase for non-resident students is equivalent to that of resident students, equating to a percentage increase of 2.2 percent for undergraduates and 2.1 percent for graduate students.

The Tuition Tale Below are the changes in per credit hour tuition rates (based on 30 credit hours) from 2005-06 to 2006-07 for EMU's resident and non-resident students. Course level, resident 2005-06 2006-07 100-400 (undergraduate) $182.10 $194.50 500-600 (masters) $326.60 $340.50 700-999 (doctoral) $376.00 $391.75 Course level, non-resident 2005-06 2006-07 100-400 (undergraduate) $560.60 $573.00 500-600 (masters) $657.10 $671.00 700-999 (doctoral) $740.60 $756.35

"It's an enlightened approach to minimizing the increase in cost to students," said EMU President John Fallon of the equitable tuition strategy devised to retain current students and recruit new students regionally. "Passing a 6-percent, across-the-board tuition increase is the way that most institutions do it. This is more thoughtful and less mindless than is typically the case."

Fallon said EMU cut $4 million from the overall budget to make possible tuition increases that are the lowest EMU has set since 2000-2001, when tuition increased 3 percent. For 2004-05, the University raised tuition and mandatory fees only 2.4 percent, but that was an agreement all state institutions adhered to with Gov. Granholm in order to avoid losing state appropriations.

With the increase, a typical resident undergraduate student will pay $6,933 for 30 student credit hours ($194.50 per credit hour), or about $393 more than last fall. The tuition and mandatory fee total includes: per credit hour fee for 30 credit hours; the $40 registration fee for two semesters and mandatory fees that total $1,020 ($34 X 30 credit hours). The mandatory fees include the $21 per student credit hour general fee, a $10 per student credit hour technology fee and a $3 per student credit hour Student Center fee.

(above, from left) Christina Hayden, from Gas City, Ind.; and Jennifer Jerew, of Blissfield, like other EMU graduate students, will pay more in tuition for 30 credit hours this year. Hayden will pay $393 more this year while Jerew will see her bill increase $349, which is consistent with other state universities. Photo by Randy Mascharka

A resident graduate student will pay $9,066 annually, or about $349 more than last fall. Resident doctoral students will see an increase of $15.75 per credit hour. Mandatory fees remained unchanged except for a previously scheduled 75-cent, per credit hour increase for the Student Center fee.

Non-resident undergraduate students will pay $18,289, or $393 more than last fall. Non-resident graduate students will pay $16,997, or $349 more than last fall. Non-resident doctoral students will see an increase of $15.75 per credit hour.

"We tried to be as equitable as possible to all students," said Steve Holda, interim director of finance for EMU.

Holda said non-resident percentage increases were lower because those students are already paying substantially higher rates.

EMU's tuition increase ranks seventh-highest, in a tie with Western Michigan University, among Michigan's 15 public universities.

"In general, it (tuition increase) was fairly consistent with what we were expecting," said Student Body President Daniel Cicchini. "The prices are very consistent with what is happening at other universities in the state, keeping the cost affordable for students."

While the tuition percentage increases for in- and out-of-state students was different, Cicchini said the actual dollar amount increase was similar for both groups.

"It's a very interesting feature that keeps us competitive in the region," he said.

Joseph Antonini, chair of the Regents' Finance and Audit Committee, said the University was able to keep flat the cost of all but one of the mandatory fees (including registration, general and technology fees) that students pay. The new student center fee is the only mandatory fee scheduled to increase, from $2.25 to $3 per credit hour.

Antonini also stressed that the University increased its student financial aid funding by an additional $2.2 million, which represents a 12 percent increase in student financial aid from the current year. Financial aid represents 7.6 percent of the net budget growth for 2006-07, he said.

In other business, the Regents:

• Approved the fiscal year general fund operating budget in the amount of $239.8 million. The budget is based upon an approved state appropriation of $78.2 million or 2 percent above the prior year appropriation budget of $75.9 million and an enrollment level forecast of 541,023 student credit hours.

While this year's budget has been approved, Fallon indicated the budget process for next year will begin this September and entail the concept of zero-based budgeting.

"The concept requires that we begin the process at zero and consider all budgetary allocations, from personnel to programs to facilities, on the basis of strategic mission/vision-critical value," Fallon said in his July 24 periodic update to campus. "Those elements essential to achieving our missions/vision will be funded; those that are deemed non-essential will not be funded. As a result, there will be a pool of resources available for innovation and continued strategic investment in our future."

An open campus forum on the subject will be scheduled in mid- to late-August, Fallon said.

• Approved and authorized the administration to sign a proposed master "Wireless Washtenaw" participation agreement between Washtenaw County and EMU. Washtenaw County will provide a wireless network for urban, suburban and rural settings throughout Washtenaw County.

Washtenaw is entering into contractual arrangements with governmental entities, universities, businesses and others within the county to provide access to and/or use of their lands, buildings, structures and other assets by the wireless broadband provider which will construct, operate and maintain the wireless network within the county. As consideration for use of its assets, EMU is entitled to receive the benefits of the wireless network.

"This allows wireless connections throughout our campus to the county," Antonini said. "The good news is it won't cost us a thing. It will be set up for free."

20/20 Communications, based in Ann Arbor, was recently chosen by the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners to be the service provider for the Wireless Washtenaw Project.