Southwest approves second fee increase

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Southwest Missouri State University students got another tuition increase Friday as the state continues to cut education funding in the wake of a budget shortfall.

The university's Board of Governors approved increases of 9.4 percent for undergraduates and 9.6 percent for graduate students in a unanimous vote. It marks the second time the board has raised fees in the past 90 days. Officials said they had no choice.

Southwest Missouri, like most state colleges and universities, suffered an approximate 10 percent cut in funding this year, forcing officials to increase tuition to meet operating costs.

The latest increase will cost undergraduates $11 more per credit hour in the fall semester at the Springfield campus. That means a student taking 12 hours would pay $132 more per semester in tuition.

After tuition hike

The increase will be a burden for students such as Kate Williams, a senior majoring in music education.

"I'm in the marching band but I may have to get a job," she said, studying Friday in the student union. "Money is hard to come by, and I use my student loans for rent and food."

Students are already grappling with a rare midyear tuition increase that was approved by the board in December. The board increased fees 5 percent for undergraduates and 6 percent for graduate students for the current semester.

"I love kids, and I hate to see them pay more," said board member Bill Darr, "but there's really no choice."

Fees at the university's campus in West Plains will increase 3.75 percent. That means Missouri residents will pay $83 per credit hour, while nonresidents will pay $166 per credit hour.

Those students received a mid-year hike of $4 per credit hour in December.

Tom Allen, vice president for finance at Southwest Missouri, said the increases would raise about $7 million -- not quite enough to cover the anticipated $9 million shortfall.

"No one will be laid off," Allen said, "but some positions will be left unfilled."

Adam Warren, student government association president, said students are not happy.

"It's a horrible situation," he said.