Northwest Missouri State University’s Board of Regents approved moderate tuition and fee increases for the 2013-14 academic year.

The regents also approved changes to curriculum and to the University’s alcohol policy.

Beginning with the fall 2013 trimester, Northwest will raise its tuition by 1.7 percent, reflecting an increase in the Consumer Price Index.

Based on 24 student credit hours per academic year, tuition and fees will increase by $214.56 for in-state undergraduates and by $329.04 for out-of-state undergraduates. For graduate students, based on 18 student credit hours per academic year, tuition will increase by $187.38 for in-state students and $287.46 for out-of-state students.

The Board also approved increases to room and board rates with room rate increases averaging 2.1% and ranging from zero to four percent based on apartment, suite or residence hall style of housing. Additionally, with Northwest’s transition to a new residential dining program, meal-plan rate increases will average 0.6 percent, depending on the type of meal plan a student chooses.

Under the changes approved to Northwest’s alcohol policy, Northwest will now allow the consumption of alcoholic beverages by individuals who are of legal age, in parking lots 60, 62 and 63 located west of Bearcat Stadium and in the stadium’s suites only during home football games; for social functions at the Thomas Gaunt House, which is the University president’s residence; and for one-time events, such as wedding receptions and exhibit openings, that are approved by the president and meet certain criteria addressing the use of alcohol sold by a third-party vendor.

Northwest’s policy prohibiting the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages in residence halls remains unchanged.