The governing body of Missouri Western State University raised tuition and some fees in an effort to get out from under its funding and budget problems.
The Board of Governors on Wednesday approved tuition and general fee rates for the 2012-2013 school year.
An undergraduate in-state student taking 15 credit hours a semester will pay $97.20 more per semester. The board also approved a new fee passed by the Student Government Association earlier this spring.
“Affordability is a top priority for Missouri Western, so raising tuition is never our first choice,” said Dr. Robert Vartabedian,Missouri Western’s president. “However, in the current budget climate, raising tuition and fees is necessary to maintain the quality of education we provide. I’m pleased that even with the new rates our costs remain well below the state, regional and national averages.”
Missouri Western saw its state appropriation cut more than $3 million over fiscal years 2011 and 2012. An appropriations bill that would increase the university’s state appropriation by approximately $516,000 for fiscal year 2013 is awaiting the governor’s signature. That move toward equity for the institution, which receives the lowest appropriation per full-time equivalent student, is appreciated, Dr. Vartabedian said. However, he pointed it out that it won’t even cover the estimated $767,000 in increased mandatory costs, such as utilities and health insurance, let alone make up for the decreased appropriations of the last two years.
The tuition for in-state undergraduate students approved by the board complies with the Higher Education Student Funding Act, or HESFA, which
ties tuition increases to the yearly increase in the Consumer Price Index.
The board also approved tuition and fee increases of $20 per credit hour for resident graduate, non-resident undergraduate and non-resident graduate. Tuition for on-line courses will go up $10 per credit hour for undergraduate and non-resident graduate students and $15 for resident graduate students. Those categories are not covered by HESFA.
The board also approved the “Student Success Act” fees passed by the Student Government Association in April. The fee will be $75 for students with 12 credit hours or more per semester, $50 for those with fewer than 12 credit hours, and $25 for summer school sessions. Student-approved fees are not subject to HESFA limitations.
“We’re extremely grateful to the student leaders who recognize the value they’re receiving and volunteered to help maintain our quality,” Dr. Vartabedian said.