2008 Woodie Awards
Expecting tuition increase
Forrest Bowlick
Issue date: 4/23/08 Section: News
Faculty and administration at the University of Northern Colorado discussed next year's preliminary budget on Tuesday, which will guarantee an increase in tuition and on-campus housing.
Tuition is expected to increase 9.5 percent of the fiscal year, the maximum increase allowed under Colorado state law. Coupled with other fee increases and new fees, the average UNC student who lives in the dorms next year will see an 11.4 percent increase.
These increases stem from student retention and attendance. According to the budget statistics presented at the meeting for the fiscal year 2008, the university suffered a shortfall of $2.8 million because of the fall in enrollment. In addition to the previous drop in enrollment, there is an additional 5 percent drop anticipated for next fall.
Much of the discussion during the meeting focused on how to bring more students to the university.
"We have some challenges with recruitment," said UNC's Provost Abe Harraf. "Only nine percent of seniors from Greeley (high schools) attend UNC."
The division that exists between the community and the university was also a popular topic. Advertisements in local papers and on local radio stations for other universities in the state were used as examples of what UNC could be doing in the Greeley area.
Another concern focused on the programs at the university and whether they would benefit from the increased tuition.
"We have not seen one increase in 20 years," said Richard Mayne, the associate director of bands in reference to funding the UNC band receives. "We're asked to do the same or more with the same money, without an inflationary increase."
Some new student fees are also being taken into consideration. New money for the counseling center and health operations may be included. If a new law is passed in the state legislature, additional fees will be assessed for mandatory tuberculosis testing.
There were a few positive comments made about the university. One was the comparison of costs to Colorado State University and the University of Colorado at Boulder. UNC's published cost of attendance is $1,000 dollars below that of CSU and almost $2,500 dollars below that of CU. Even after the adjustment for fees, UNC maintains its spot as most affordable in Colorado.
State support for higher education, which has been dismal in the past few years, is also increasing for the university by 7.2 percent. This will supplement the Colorado Opportunity Fund for in-state students who choose to take advantage of it.
The presentation closed with some suggestions on how to best promote the university and maintain a healthy enrollment rate.
"We have a fantastic faculty at this university," said Dr. Mayne. "Let's promote that."
Tuition is expected to increase 9.5 percent of the fiscal year, the maximum increase allowed under Colorado state law. Coupled with other fee increases and new fees, the average UNC student who lives in the dorms next year will see an 11.4 percent increase.
These increases stem from student retention and attendance. According to the budget statistics presented at the meeting for the fiscal year 2008, the university suffered a shortfall of $2.8 million because of the fall in enrollment. In addition to the previous drop in enrollment, there is an additional 5 percent drop anticipated for next fall.
Much of the discussion during the meeting focused on how to bring more students to the university.
"We have some challenges with recruitment," said UNC's Provost Abe Harraf. "Only nine percent of seniors from Greeley (high schools) attend UNC."
The division that exists between the community and the university was also a popular topic. Advertisements in local papers and on local radio stations for other universities in the state were used as examples of what UNC could be doing in the Greeley area.
Another concern focused on the programs at the university and whether they would benefit from the increased tuition.
"We have not seen one increase in 20 years," said Richard Mayne, the associate director of bands in reference to funding the UNC band receives. "We're asked to do the same or more with the same money, without an inflationary increase."
Some new student fees are also being taken into consideration. New money for the counseling center and health operations may be included. If a new law is passed in the state legislature, additional fees will be assessed for mandatory tuberculosis testing.
There were a few positive comments made about the university. One was the comparison of costs to Colorado State University and the University of Colorado at Boulder. UNC's published cost of attendance is $1,000 dollars below that of CSU and almost $2,500 dollars below that of CU. Even after the adjustment for fees, UNC maintains its spot as most affordable in Colorado.
State support for higher education, which has been dismal in the past few years, is also increasing for the university by 7.2 percent. This will supplement the Colorado Opportunity Fund for in-state students who choose to take advantage of it.
The presentation closed with some suggestions on how to best promote the university and maintain a healthy enrollment rate.
"We have a fantastic faculty at this university," said Dr. Mayne. "Let's promote that."
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