Monday, July 07, 2003
Budget and new fees approved
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University of Southern Indiana Board of Trustees approved the 2003-04 operating budget of $63.9 million and new fees, effective in the fall, at the July board meeting today (7/7/2003). The budget is based on estimates of fee revenue, state appropriations, and other available sources. USI President H. Ray Hoops said, “USI has a history of fee restraint. A year ago, when Governor O’Bannon called for rate increases below 10 percent, USI complied, in a year in which circumstances made it very difficult for state universities to do so.” He also explained that the State of Indiana and the Indiana Commission for Higher Education expect the state universities to report fee increases in terms of tuition and all mandatory fees for full-time students. A full-time, in-state undergraduate student attending USI in spring semester 2003 paid tuition and mandatory fees of $1,800 per semester. At that rate, USI was the lowest-cost university in the State. “In fall 2003, USI’s rate for a full-time, in-state student will increase to $1,942.50 per semester, still the lowest-cost baccalaureate university in the State,” he said. An Indiana student attending USI this fall will pay $1,500 less in tuition and required fees than an Indiana student who attends the state university with the second lowest charges for tuition and fees. The new USI fees are calculated on the basis of 15 credit hours, using tuition of $127.50 per credit hour, plus the mandatory University services fee of $30 for a full-time student. President Hoops added, “Ball State, Indiana University, Indiana State University, and Purdue are all applying a $1,000 surcharge for every new student. If you compare the effect of that surcharge combined with their regular fee increases, USI’s increase will be the lowest in the state.” New fees for nonresident full-time undergraduate students, using tuition of $304.25 per credit hour, plus the mandatory University services fee of $30 for a full-time student, will be $4,593.75. The new graduate fee for Indiana residents will be $185.25 per credit hour plus a mandatory University services fee of $30; nonresident graduate students will be assessed $366 per credit hour plus the mandatory University services fee. University officials expressed appreciation to the legislature for USI’s appropriation which included support for operating expenses for the new Science and Education Center, some recognition of enrollment growth, and partial restoration of reductions in base funding for 2002-2003. In addition, funding was included for equipment and programming needs for the new baccalaureate engineering degree. President Hoops said, “The USI operating budget consists of $32.7 million in state appropriation and a fee increase, which, when combined, will allow the University to make some progress and to recognize the hard work of our faculty and staff.” In other business, the board approved a policy on posthumous recognition of students. In the event of a student death, a degree may be awarded posthumously to a student who was enrolled at the time of death and had completed substantial work toward a degree. A certificate of recognition may be awarded posthumously to a student who was enrolled at the time of death, but who did not qualify for a posthumous degree. During the trustees’ annual meeting, David Huber of Cannelton, Indiana, was elected board chair. Other officers elected are Pat Hoehn of Floyds Knobs, vice chair for finance and audit; Bruce Baker of Newburgh, vice chair for long-range planning; and Louise Bruce of Tell City, secretary. |
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