The University will stop offering a tuition discount for early morning and late afternoon classes in fall 2009as a result of financial pressure from state budget cuts that many fear will only get worse.
Gov. Ted Kulongoski announced the state budget cuts that spurred the University’s decision in December. Kulongoski’s spokesperson Jillian Schoene said Tuesday that as of Dec. 1 the state was projected to lose $142 million by June and $1.2 billion during the 2009-11 fiscal years. Schoene said Kulongoski would announce an updated forecast in February. She said economists predict Oregon could lose another $300 to $600 million before June 30, and up to another $1 billion during the next two fiscal years.
Jim Bean, senior vice president and provost, announced in a Dec. 23 statement to colleagues that the current 10 percent tuition discount for classes offered at early or late hours and with large class sizes will be discontinued. According to the statement, the change will save the University $1 million.
Bean said the tuition discount originally existed as an incentive for students to take classes at odd hours and fill the lecture halls, making better use of space on campus.
However, “the perception is, it’s not necessary anymore,” he said, because increased enrollment has made using those spaces at those hours unavoidable.
Bean said the administration made the decision. Faculty and students were not involved.
Four credit hours for an undergraduate Oregon resident at the University cost $495, so a discounted class would cost $445.50. For an out-of-state undergraduate student, four credit hours cost $1,876, so a discounted class would cost $1,688.40.
For the winter 2009 term, discounted classes are offered in subjects including accounting, architecture, biology, chemistry, human physiology, journalism and sociology. Most are required lower division classes, such as Information Gathering for journalism majors and Introduction to Accounting II.
Students had mixed feelings about the decision. Seniors Lauren Baker and Willa Frazer agreed that it is sad to see the University get rid of the discount, but said neither of them has used it as a reason to take a class.
In fact, Baker said, paying full price for early classes may encourage students to attend class more often, because it costs more money.
Junior Jeremy Swanburg said the administration’s decision is unfortunate for students who are trying to be frugal about college and looking for ways to save some money.
At the same time, Swanburg said, he understands that when the University needs to make budget cuts, it makes sense to start with the smallest cuts possible.
Schoene said the legislature has the authority to specify budget cuts for public entities, but so far hasn’t changed the budget for higher education.
That could change, said Oregon Board of Higher Education spokesperson Lisa Pinheiro. Budget reductions could cause universities to use reserve money, initiate layoffs or establish salary freezes, she said. Reductions could even force the Board to raise tuition more than it had agreed to, she said.
Bean has called for departments across the University to plan for 10 percent budget cuts and hold off on hiring to fill vacant positions until the new budget is announced.
Pinheiro said that is likely wise. “There is serious reason for concern.”
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