Section A·Page 4
The University Daily Kansan
Monday, August 16, 1999
Tuition hike shows trend of rising college costs
University fees to rise $1 per credit hour
By Nathan Willis reporter@kansan.com Kansan staff writer
Students and University of Kansas officials had mixed reactions to a 2.5 percent tuition hike and accompanying fee increases approved by the Board of Regents in June.
At its June 24 meeting in Topeka, the Regents approved a 2.5 percent increase in tuition and $1 per credit hour fee for technology and libraries in the 2000-2001 academic year. The tuition hike, which affects both in-state and out-of-state students, follows a 2.3 percent increase for this academic year.
The technology fee, which helps pay for computers and other high-tech equipment, was implemented last year but must be renewed by the Regents every year. The library fee, which will help pay for supplies and will keep one library open around the clock during finals, is new.
Barbara Conant, Regents communications director, said the Regents tried to keep tuition increases in line with inflation.
"The Board is cognizant of the effect that any kind of increase has on students." Conant said. "We want to keep education accessible and provide the resources students need. It's a true balancing act."
Conant said the average tuition across the nation was rising about 4 percent annually. She said the Regents were satisfied that the modest increase kept the balance.
Some University officials and students agreed that the hike was fair.
Lindy Eakin, associate provost for support services, said he thought the increase was reasonable.
The hike closely mirrors personal income growth in the state, making the true cost of tuition about the same, he said. He also noted that the Kansas Legislature's share of the budget would increase about 5 percent for the 2000-2001 school year, meaning tuition was not rising as fast as the overall budget.
Some students found the increase rea
"I think it's OK if they use the money efficiently," Diana Toe, Overland Park junior, said.
sonable as well
The library and technology fees are fine with her too, because they are going to good causes, she said.
Jared Hamilton, Olathe senior, said that for out-of-state students like his girlfriend, the increase could squeeze already tight money. Still, he said he thought the increase was generally worth the resources it would provide.
But not everyone agreed; some of the Regents had a few reservations.
"It may set a precedent that we don't want to continue." Conant said.
Conant said that although the Regents supported the $1 fees for libraries and technology, the recent trend toward charging specific fees instead of increasing tuition could be bad in the long run because it could force students to bear costs that had traditionally been covered by the Legislature.
It's a precedent that some already are worried about.
Korb Maxwell, student body president,
vocally opposed the library fee during
the summer. Though it would provide $600,000 for University libraries, he said it was a cost that should be borne by the Legislature rather than students.
Maxwell was out of town last week and could not be reached for comment.
Eakin said Maxwell's sentiment was common.
"There are a number of people saying this is not a good trend, that the state's escaping their responsibility." he said.
Eakin said the Legislature's share of funding had declined throughout the past several years. In the 1980s funding from the Legislature covered about 70 percent of the budget while the other 30 percent came from tuition, he said. Now, the Legislature covers only about 60 percent of the tab while tuition covers 40 percent.
Although increases in the past few years have been much smaller than increases in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Eakin said students should continue to expect modest increases.
"As a public institution, students now and in the future will have to realize that tuition will have to rise in the future," Eakin said.
Edited by Katrina Hull
Tuition increase
The Board of Regents has proposed its tuition increase for the 2000-2001 school year. The Board uses the comparison of in-state and out-of-state tuition credit hour. The white bars show in-state tuition.
Jason Williams/KANSAN
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