Questions and Answers About Proposed Tier II Tuition Increases

Q: What is meant by Tier I versus Tier II tuition increases?

 

A: At its November 2002 meeting, the Utah Board of Regents approved a 4.5% Tier I tuition increase for next year for all universities and colleges in the state. One-half of one percent of this increase is for student financial aid to be used on the campuses where it is collected. In addition to the Tier I increase, USU is proposing Tier II tuition increases. All of the revenue generated from the Tier II increase will be retained at USU to meet critical academic and student services needs.

 

Q: What is ASUSU’s position on the proposed Tier II tuition increase?

 

A: ASUSU passed a resolution on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2002, supporting the proposed Tier II increases.

 

Q: Why does USU need additional tuition?

 

A: If Utah State University is to improve the quality of its academic offerings, additional revenues must be generated. Additional faculty are needed to reduce class size and provide more faculty contact with students.

 

USU has a student-faculty ratio of 25.9-1 compared to an average ratio of its peer institutions of 17-1.

 

Only 71% of students are returning to USU after their first year. The average for our peer institutions is 85%.

 

Only 49% of Utah State University students graduate in six years. The average for our peer institutions is 64%.

 

Q: Why hasn’t the State of Utah provided additional support?

 

A: Over the last year, Utah State University has lost $9.5 million of its budget from legislatively imposed cuts to address state budget shortfalls. All indications are that in the next session of the Legislature, additional cuts are likely to be imposed. None of the Tier II revenues will be used to cover these cuts.

 

Q: What are details of the proposed Tier II increases?

 

A. The proposed Tier II tuition increase is 5% for undergraduates and 2.5% for graduate students. That is in addition to the 4.5% Tier I tuition increase recommended by the Utah Board of Regents.

 

The dollar amount of the Tier I, 4.5%, increase will be: (1) $54/semester for resident undergraduate students, (2) $173/semester for non-resident undergraduate students, (3) $65/semester for graduate resident students, and (4) $227/semester for non-resident graduate students.

 

The dollar amount of the Tier II increase, 5% for undergraduate students and 2.5% for graduate students, will be: (1) $60/semester for undergraduate resident students, (2) $192/semester for undergraduate non-resident students, (3) $36/semester for graduate resident students, and (4) $126/semester for graduate non-resident students.

 

Q: Why is there a difference in the proposed Tier II tuition for graduate students?

 

A: The smaller increment for graduate students is a reflection of the fact that last year the tuition increase for graduate students was approximately 20%.

 

Q: How much money will be generated from the proposed Tier II tuition increases?

 

A: About $2,005,873 will be generated next year.

 

Q: What will the money be used for?

 

A: Every dollar of the proposed Tier II tuition increase will remain at Utah State University. The money will be used in two areas: Instruction and improved Advising (expended in 2004-2005) and Academic Support (one-time allocation, 2003-2004).

 

1. Instruction. Utah State will hire 25.5* full-time permanent faculty in Business, English, Art, Languages and Philosophy, Math and Statistics, Education, Science, and Engineering Initiative match. (* Includes 7.25 full-time permanent faculty to match the Governor’s Engineering Initiative.) These new hires will be made where they are most needed to address bottleneck class problems.

 

— $1,755,873

 

In addition, we will hire six full-time permanent advisors and staff to create a centralized First-Year Advising Center consisting of advisors from every college. Advisors will be cross-trained and the center will be open for extended hours.

 

— $250,000

 

2. Academic Support. Other money from the proposed Tier II tuition increase will be used to strengthen critical academic support services.

 

Enhance university libraries to maintain journal subscriptions, enhance monograph collections and electronic resources.

 

— $ 700,000

 

Implement a new Banner information system that will benefit students by providing an integrated system that eliminates duplication, allows round-the-clock access, and is easier to use than the present system.

 

— $1,000,000

Supplemental Instruction, Rhetoric Associates

 

— $66,150

 

Increase number of sections in bottleneck courses

 

— $239,72

 

All Tier II tuition revenue will be used to benefit USU students. None will go to athletics or be used to increase faculty salaries.

 

Q: Will there be Tier II tuition increases proposed for future years?

 

A: Yes. This year’s increases are part of a three-year goal to improve academic quality. The current plan is to request a 4% increase for 2004-2005. The three-year plan will allow 70 new faculty to be hired, as well as enhance other academic programs at the university.