SEMO REGENTS UNANIMOUSLY INCREASE FEES

The Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents Friday hiked fees and room and board charges for the 2000-2001 academic year even as some members expressed concern about the ever-growing cost of education.

The regents unanimously adopted the administration's recommended fee hikes at their meeting in the University Center Ballroom.

Regent John Tlapek said part of the mission of the university is to serve the region's residents. "I just don't want to see us pricing people out of the market," he told school administrators.

Bill Duffy, vice president for finance, said the university continues to try to hold cost increases to a minimum. But he said the latest increases are needed to cover increased costs and provide expanded services to maintain a quality institution.

Southeast involves students in discussions about fee hikes. The university's Budget Review Committee includes students. The committee annually crafts the budget recommendations that are sent to school President Dr. Ken Dobbins and ultimately the Board of Regents.

Students on the committee supported the hikes in fees and room and board charges, Duffy said.

While hikes in fees and room and board charges have become an annual event, Duffy said students pay about a third of the cost of their education. The state pays the other two-thirds.

But Don Dickerson, board president, said that as overall education costs continue to rise, the cost to students also increases even if percentagewise it remains at around 31 percent.

Dickerson said Missouri's public colleges and universities have benefited from increases in state funding. But he said the funding picture is unclear for the future.

The regents hiked residence hall fees by varying amounts ranging from 3.7 percent to 16 percent. The average room rate is increasing 6.8 percent and the average board rate 6.4 percent, school officials said.

The board raised tuition or incidental fees by varying amounts ranging from $4 per credit hour for in-state undergraduates to $16 per credit hour for out-of-state graduate students. The regents raised the general fee by $1.50 per credit hour, bringing that fee to $9.70 per credit hour.

The increase will help fund computer labs and improved computer services for students, officials said.

The incidental and general fees combined will range from $113 per credit hour for in-state undergraduates to $234 per credit hour for out-of-state graduate students.

Annual residence hall fees will range from $2,550 for Dearmont to $3,690 for double rooms in Towers North and West.

Dr. Pauline Fox, vice president for administration and enrollment management, said offices for various grant-funded programs and the Air Force ROTC will be moved out of Dearmont to provide added student housing. The ROTC unit will move into a building that formerly housed facilities- management offices.

The offices of grant-funded programs will be moved to the former Washington Elementary School.

The added rooms in Dearmont will be priced at $2,926, the same as Myers Hall.

Southeast has had a policy requiring most freshmen and sophomores to live in campus housing unless they are commuter students.

Fox told the board that the university plans to allow sophomores with good grades to live off campus if they choose under a two-year trial program. To qualify, students must have completed 15 credit hours of classes last fall and be enrolled in 15 hours of classes this spring. They must have at least a 3.25 grade-point average and approval from a legal guardian or parent before they will be allowed to live off campus next fall.

"I see it as an extra incentive for students," Fox said.

Board of Regents Agenda

Southeast Missouri State University

Board of Regents Action

Friday, March 24

* Approved a resolution honoring the Southeast Missouri State University Indians basketball team.

* Changed the names of two management degree options in the College of Business.

* Approved Faculty Senate measures dealing with grade appeals and a revised, five-year academic calendar.

* Hiked student fees, and room and board charges.

* Passed resolutions honoring retiring faculty and staff.

* Received reports on spring enrollment and fund raising.