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Incoming freshmen can choose tuition plans
The University of Kansas is allowing incoming freshmen to choose whether they want to lock into a four-year tuition rate or gamble on yearly tuition increases starting this fall.
Tuition is not increasing as rapidly as it has in the past, said Erinn Barcomb-Peterson, director of news and media relations for the University. If tuition rates increase at a slower rate, it may save students money to opt out of the four-year tuition price compact, which has initially higher tuition rates but protects students against sudden spikes in cost.
"The University strives to remain competitive with our peers," Barcomb-Peterson said in an email. "That means meeting keeping tuition priced competitively and being a good value for students."
The compact plan began with incoming freshmen in fall 2007, according to The University of Kansas Tuition
Proposal. With the compact, tuition rates do not increase for four years, after which the compact expires.The plan expires because the University wants to encourage all students to graduate in four years, according to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
The compact starts with steeper rates because it takes into account potential increases. Now, incoming freshmen can take a lower first-year rate but potentially get caught in a tuition spike later on. The choice is up to the incoming freshmen and their families.
The University of Kansas is the only Kansas regent school that offered a fixed four-year tuition rate for incoming freshmen, according to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
- Rebecca Dowa
Call center to bring 333 jobs to Lawrence
USA800, a call support center out of Kansas City, Mo., will invest more than $3.5 million in a 20,000-square-foot facility at the Interstate-70 Business Center, bringing 333 jobs to Lawrence, according to a press release from the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce.
With a growing customer base and new contracts, USA800 looked at multiple markets across the Midwest to set up a new facility. The press release cites Lawrence's facilities and call center workforce as reason for setting up shop in the city. The facility will open Aug.1.
"It's going to increase job opportunities here, and it's going to increase job opportunities for students," said Economic Development Project Manager at the Chamber of Lawrence Brady Pollington. "It will also soak up the layoffs from the Results Company [call center] exiting our market."
-Garrett Long
The Business Center, at 1025 North Third St., will hold a job fair from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 5 to Aug. 7. Applicants can visit USA800.com for more information.
USA800 partnered with local Lawrence organizations including the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Corporation of Lawrence and Douglas County to help develop the call center in a beneficial way to USA800 and Lawrence.
The boost in jobs the call center will bring is expected to help improve Lawrence's economy as well.
"The company's investment in Lawrence will contribute to our state's continued economic growth," Pat George, Kansas commerce secretary, said.
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