WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2006
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN 3
CLAS
CLAS differential tuition possible
Incoming dean is working on a proposal for a differential tuition system for improvements
BY TOM SLAUGHTER
tslaughter@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
Students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences may have to start thinking about their tuition rates increasing in the coming months, a trend common in other professional schools.
Joseph Steinmetz, the incoming dean of liberal arts and sciences, is working on a proposal that would make the college the final professional school to accept a differential tuition system. The college voted down a similar proposal in 2004, proposed by then-dean Kim Wilcox.
Todd Bradley, Wichita junior, said he was unhappy about the idea.
"We pay tuition to take classes.
I don't understand why you have to pay another fee," Bradley said.
Differential tuition is a system used to raise money for various improvements. Amenities like classroom technology, money to hire more faculty and funds for student projects are all allowed through differential tuition in other professional schools.
William L. Eakin, vice provost for administration and finance, said that a proposal is going to require research from Steinmetz.
"The dean of the school has to prove that he has the support of the students in the school for differential," Eakin said. He said That Steinmetz will have to "communicate with as many students as possible."
said the University could not go to the Regents without strong student support.
The proposal would have to be sent to the Board of Regents in order to be approved, and Eakin
He said that the proposal would have to be put together by March 1, 2007, because proposals were made to the Regents by May 1.
Eakin said that there were approximately 300,000 credit hours taken per year in the college, so while no proposed in-
ferential tuition fee among the University's professional schools at $12.50 per credit hour, while
"I'll pay whatever they're going to raise me. I need my degree, and it's too close to worry.
crease has been made, the college would stand to earn a significant amount of money. The School of Journalism has the lowest dif-
JON SOUTHERN Shawnee senior
other schools
have fees
higher than
$100.
be seeing amenities that have already been paid for.
One concern that students might have about the increase in tuition is that tuition rates for the University as a whole are increasing yearly, meaning students might already
"The challenge is after five years of KU already spending,
students would feel like they don't need to pay for things they already have," Eakin said.
However, that doesn't mean students wouldn't be in favor of an increase.
"Is there something that students in the college would get excited about to say Yeah, I want that?' Eakin said. "I think it's possible that there's a package they would support."
Jon Southern, Shawnee senior, said that while he doesn't like the idea, he would pay what was necessary.
"I'll pay whatever they're going to raise me. I need my degree, and it's too close to worry," he said.
Steinmetz and Wilcox were unavailable for comment.
—Edited by Dani Hurst