Regents cut tuition for 2005 spring semester

The board of regents on Wednesday cut tuition by $2 a credit hour for the spring 2005 semester at Southeast Missouri State University after lifting a financial emergency declared by the board two years ago.

The regents in February voted to increase tuition for the upcoming fall and spring semesters, but promised to reduce the tuition if the university received increased state funding after having suffered through state budget cuts over the last couple of years.

Regents said they were following through on their promise as Southeast is now scheduled to receive about $1 million more in the new fiscal year that begins today than was appropriated for the prior fiscal year.

Tuition and general fees per credit hour for the spring semester will range from $160.50 for in-state undergraduates to $331.80 for out-of-state graduate students.

Even with the tuition cut, students will be paying far more than they did in the 2000-2001 academic year when the per-credit-hour cost ranged from $113 for in-state undergraduates to $234 for out-of-state graduate students.

Southeast officials said the increased state funding will allow for the rollback in tuition as well as a $400 medical reimbursement account for each employee and added spending for equipment and operations.

Operating budget OK'dThe regents approved a $115.9 million operating budget, which includes funding for basic university services as well as mostly self-supporting auxiliary services.

Basic operations are projected to total $90.7 million. Auxiliary services, which include the Show Me Center and campus housing, are budgeted at $25.2 million.

The new budget includes university-wide merit-based salary increases of 2 percent or $600 a person, whichever is greater, school officials said.

In closed session, the regents restructured the school's academic affairs department.

School officials said the restructuring places all areas of extended learning, including the area higher education centers, under a single administrator, Dr. Randy Shaw.

Shaw was named assistant provost of extended learning and dean of the School of Polytechnic Studies.

The restructuring involves existing staff and won't create any additional positions, school officials said.

Under the restructuring, Dr. Fred Janzow was named vice provost and dean of the graduate school. The regents appointed Dr. David Starrett as interim dean of the University Studies program and director of the Center for Scholarship in Teaching and Learning.

In other action, the regents:

Approved a revised mission statement for the university. Revised a contract for the annual audit.

Approved a new fine of up to $100 for excessive parking violations on campus and the use of a "vehicle boot" on vehicle tires that will prevent motorists from being able to drive their vehicles without first paying their fines. Approved an agreement with the city of Sikeston for the expansion of the Sikeston Area Higher Education Center.

mbliss@semissourian.com

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