Board of regents to consider proposal to raise SEMO tuition 5.6 percent

Tuition would rise 5.6 percent under a proposal the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents will consider today.

The increase would cover increases in operating expenses, a 3.25 pay raise for faculty, staff and administration and various "program enhancements," including money for admissions recruitment operations.

Fees would increase $11 a credit hour to $208.50 for undergraduate residents. For a student with 15 credit hours a semester, their overall tuition would rise $165.

Under a state law enacted last year, universities are prevented from raising tuition higher than the cost of inflation, which is 4.1 percent for the upcoming fiscal year. Southeast plans to raise incidental fees by 4.1 percent. Combined with general fee increases, which are fees to pay for specific projects such as the new aquatic center and upgrades to science labs, tuition overall will rise 5.6 percent. However, the general fees are not counted under the law because they were approved by the Student Senate and the board of regents previously. The law excludes fees established by a university's student body.

In February, regents approved raising room and board rates by 2.67 percent.

The board will also consider approving the university's strategic plan mission, vision statement and priorities. The plan outlines the university's goals for the next three to five years. Later in the meeting, the Intercollegiate Athletics Subcommittee, formed as part of the strategic planning process, will report on the department's external review.

The final action item is the consideration of a tenure and promotion policy that would link the promotion to associate professor with the granting of tenure.

lbavolek@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123