Trustees approve 2015-2016 budget, tuition and fee increases
During their regular meeting on July 9, 2015, the University of Southern Indiana Board of Trustees approved a $108 million operating budget for the 2015-2016 academic year, as well as an increase in tuition and fees in each of the next two years.
Included was a per-semester credit-hour fee increase for 2015-2016 to $227.92 for Indiana resident undergraduate students; $337.92 for Indiana resident graduate students; $553.96 for non-resident undergraduate students; and $666.19 for non-resident graduate students. The 2016-2017 per-semester credit-hour fee will increase to $234.82 for Indiana resident undergraduate students; $351.53 for Indiana resident graduate students; $576.22 for non-resident undergraduate students; and $692.95 for non-resident graduate students. Also approved was an increase in student fees and other mandatory fees for 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 and laboratory and miscellaneous fees for 2015-2016.
The board approved an authorizing resolution for construction of a $2.5 million Welcome Center. The University proposes to begin construction of the approximately 6,000 square-foot Welcome Center in spring 2016. The facility would serve as a resource to all guests visiting campus, including information about campus events, directions to buildings and other general information about the University. The proposed facility includes a reception area, lounge and meeting space. The project will be funded through private gifts and USI's Special Projects Reserves.
The board also approved an authorizing resolution for the Multi-Institutional Academic Health Science and Research Center. The 2015 Indiana General Assembly appropriated $6 million to USI for its portion of the facility. The resolution gives USI's president authorization to request approval of the project from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, the Indiana State Budget Committee. It also gives USI's Finance and Audit Committee authorization to approve design plans, cost estimates and construction schedules for USI's approximately 18,000 assignable square-foot portion of the proposed 90,000 assignable square-foot facility to be located in downtown Evansville.
An announcement was made that a ribbon-cutting for USI's new Performance Center will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2015. Students began using the Performance Center, and the first productions were held in the facility, this spring with final construction and landscaping details completed over the summer.
The board also heard a report from the Diversity Committee; approved resolutions regarding bank depositories and wire transfer authorizations, and authorization of financial aid awards; and an update on current construction projects.
Meeting materials are posted at www.usi.edu/trustee.