University undergraduates will pay $252 more in tuition and fees this fall after the Oregon University System Board approved increases for all seven state universities.
This is the first time in five years that students at every school have faced tuition increases.
The University of Oregon’s increase makes it the most expensive of the seven schools, OUS Assistant Vice Chancellor Bob Bruce said. Southern Oregon University in Ashland is the cheapest, he added.
The decision comes after the Legislature allowed tuition to rise by 4 percent this year and 3 percent next year, with any additional tuition increases requiring approval by the Legislature’s Emergency Board.
But the University covered extra expenses by also increasing fees, bringing the total hike to 6.6 percent.
During its meeting in Portland, the board approved increasing current fee levels and adding a number of new student fees, which include $125 per term for new computer science equipment, $50 per term for video equipment in the journalism school and a new energy surcharge of $30 per term to cover the rising cost of power.
The total percentage increase was still less than other schools that raised tuition and fees between 7 and 9.5 percent overall.
Provost John Moseley represented the University at the meeting. Moseley did not return repeated inquiries for an interview regarding the increases and whether the University will also apply to the Emergency Board for a tuition increase above the 4 and 3 percent caps.
ASUO President Nilda Brooklyn, who took office at the end of spring term, said she met with University President Dave Frohnmayer briefly before the OUS meeting to discuss the budget, and in that meeting she said she wanted the energy fee to be capped at $30.
She said the increase to cover energy costs bothered her because she would rather see a stronger focus on how the school can conserve instead of simply raising the price for students.
Last winter and spring terms, as the Oregon House and Senate pushed and pulled on the higher education budget, rumors arose that the tuition increases could each as much as 8 percent each year for the next two years.
When the 4 and 3 percent levels were approved, many breathed a sigh of relief that the totals would not exceed those amounts. Brooklyn said the University’s use of student fees to cover the difference does raise concerns based on her philosophy that students should have control of where their money goes on campus.
“When I see increases not student-led, I am a bit concerned,” she said.
The ASUO uses its Programs, Athletic Department and EMU committees to dole out incidental fees each year for student groups, athletic tickets and other costs.
Brooklyn said she plans to meet with Frohnmayer again at the beginning of the month. Until then, she said she will continue to study the numbers, see if the administration plans to appeal to the Emergency Board and discuss any problems with the University president if they arise.
“It’s too early in the game for me to see how this is going to play out,” she said.
Tuition and Fees for 2001-2002 students:
University of Oregon: Resident undergraduate: $4,071 graduate: $7,497 non-resident undergraduate: $14,493 graduate: $12,645
Eastern Oregon University: Resident undergraduate: $3,621 graduate: $6,270 non-resident undergraduate: $3,621 graduate: $10,911
Oregon Institute of Technology: Resident undergraduate: $3,702 graduate: $6,204 non-resident undergraduate: $12,660 graduate: $10,857
Oregon State University: Resident undergraduate: $3,987 graduate: $7,413 non-resident undergraduate: $13,935 graduate: $12,465
Portland State University: Resident undergraduate: $3,720 graduate: $6,834 non-resident undergraduate: $12,828 graduate: $11,613
Southern Oregon University: Resident undergraduate: $3,555 graduate: $6,111 non-resident undergraduate: $10,971 graduate: $10,755
Western Oregon University: Resident undergraduate: $3,660 graduate: $6,234 non-resident undergraduate: $11,478 graduate: $10,890
New University fees per student per term:
$300 law resources fee
$125 for computer science equipment
$50 for journalism school video equipment upgrade
$40 resource fee for all multimedia design majors
$30 energy surcharge
University fee increases per student per term:
$3 for inflation
$5 to maintain health services
