Southeast regents increase general fees by 1.1 percent

Incidental, general and online course fees were set by the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents during their meeting Tuesday.

The board approved an increase to incidental fees -- which are considered tuition -- of $3.35 per credit hour, but waived them because of an expected increase in state allocations. So students will pay the same incidental fees in 2014-2015 they did in the current year -- $228.75 per credit hour.

Southeast will assess an additional $2.50 in general fees for maintenance and repair that was originally scheduled in fall 2013. That means the combined per credit hour incidental and general fees charged to students in fall 2014 will be $231.25 for Missouri undergraduates -- a 1.1 percent increase on fees assessed in fiscal 2014, a university news release said.

For nonresidential undergraduates, the total charged per credit hour will be $409; $292 for resident graduate students; $516 for nonresident graduate students; and $145 for lower-division courses at the regional campuses in Kennett, Malden and Sikeston, Missouri.

Although the Missouri Legislature will not conclude its session until May 16, Southeast's Budget Review Committee, made of 30 people representing all major interest groups on campus, assumed a 4 percent increase in state appropriations for fiscal year 2014 when recommending rates for FY 2015. This equates to a $1.7 million increase for Southeast, the release said.

Regents also approved increasing the fee for online courses by $7 per credit hour -- over a two-year period -- starting next fall. A $4.50-per-credit-hour bump is set for fall 2014, bringing the cost to $17 per credit hour. A second increase of $2.50 per credit hour will occur in 2015.

The current per credit hour special course fee for online courses is $12.50, a rate that has been in place since 2007. Meanwhile, demand for online courses has grown, as has course selection.

Students such as working adults and active military personnel are expected to contribute to the expansion.

Revenue from the increase will fund expansion of the Information Technology Help Desk to 24 hours a day, vice president for finance and administration Kathy Mangels said.

The additional money also will be used to create a pool of funds for temporary faculty to teach needed online courses.

Even with the fees set Tuesday, officials said Southeast is still among the least expensive of comparable universities.

"It's always going to be our challenge to be the very best value we can be," regent Jay B. Knudtson said. "That as much as anything needs to be the overriding philosophy as we analyze all the fees and services to students. I think this reflects that."

On a separate matter, regents approved two new health-related degrees and a minor.

The bachelor of science in health communication, bachelor of science in health sciences and minor in communication for health professionals will not need extra resources, but a tenure track faculty member will be requested for future programs.

The degree programs probably won't be official until spring semester 2015 because they require approval from the Coordinating Board for Higher Education.

In other business:

* Kendra Neely-Martin, vice president of the board of regents, will receive an "Unsung Heroine" Humanitarian Award from the St. Louis chapter of the Top Ladies of Distinction on May 17 in St. Louis. The award will be presented at the St. Louis Chapter's Annual Status of Women Humanitarian Awards Luncheon at the Double Tree Hotel St. Louis Westport. Neely-Martin will be recognized for her commitment to community service.

* The board approved conferring of degrees for spring and summer 2014. Graduation is set for 2 p.m. May 17 at the Show Me Center.

* Board members also applauded student regent Kevin Magnan, who is cycling off the board. A replacement has not been named.

* A ribbon-cutting was set for the Donald G. and Gloria King LaFerla residence hall at 5 p.m. May 17. Don LaFerla is a member of the board of regents.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address: One University Plaza