What was supposed to be a one-time surcharge tacked onto last spring term’s tuition has now become a permanent increase to University tuition, and it’s costing students more than they bargained for.
The surcharge, $150 for residents and $350 for non-residents, was approved by the State Board of Higher Education as a one-time emergency measure in March, but this fall the University requested the surcharge be made a permanent part of the tuition base, which the Board approved.
“We were granted permission to keep the increase and add additionally onto it,” University Vice President of Finance and Administration Frances Dyke said.
However, when the administration increased tuition this year, it used the spring term tuition, including the surcharge, as the base.
According to the Oregon University System’s Web site, last spring’s tuition, not including the surcharge, was $1,734 for an in-state student taking 15 credits. This term, tuition is $2,060 — an 18.8 percent increase. The Oregon University System said it would cap tuition increases at its large schools at an average of 8 percent.
The surcharge was introduced as an unfortunate necessity last spring, thanks to an $8.6 million drop in state funding to the University’s general fund. It was intended to raise $2.1 million in net funds.
Thirty percent overall went to financial aid, and students receiving Oregon Opportunity grants, Oregon Challenge grants and PathwayOregon grants were exempt.
Former University President Dave Frohnmayer and former ASUO President Sam Dotters-Katz extensively lobbied in support of the surcharge, speaking to the ASUO, the University Senate and the state board.
“The University has fought long and hard to give more Oregonians access (to higher education), while at the same time improving the quality of the educational experience,”
Dotters-Katz said in his presentation to the state board. “I do not believe it to be a false hope that, even in these dark times, we can continue our progress on both fronts. Yet if we are not granted this tuition surcharge, in my opinion, that will be impossible.”
Student leaders, who were sold on the surcharge as a one-time occurrence, as well as a buy-down of the student incidental fee to offset the charge, are unhappy with the news.
“This information was communicated in a way that didn’t seem to meet the goals of transparency that the administration says it holds,” ASUO President Emma Kallaway said. “Bottom line: We’re frustrated and seeking more information to better serve students.”
As for whether the permanent addition of the surcharge conflicted with how it was originally presented to students, Dyke would not comment, although she did hint that the continuing economic downturn may have played a part in the decision.
“I can’t speak to (those concerns),” Dyke said, “but what I will say is that the financial landscape changed dramatically from January to now.”
The State Board of Higher Education could not be reached for comment.
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Surcharge permanent add-on to tuition
Daily Emerald
November 4, 2009
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