Document text
--> --> State board poised to hike tuition costs By AP and The Tidings The State Board of Higher Education is expected today to approve tuition hikes for undergraduates at the state's seven public universities. For Southern Oregon University students, a 3 percent increase has been recommended for all in-state undergraduate students. A 5 percent increase will be applied to non-resident undergraduates in addition to both in-state and out-of-state graduate students, according to Ron Bolstad, vice president for administration and finance at SOU. Based on a three-term enrollment, undergraduates students would pay $3,661, as opposed to $3,555 this year. "We are pleased to be able to hold the increase at the recommended levels in the face of the economy and below the national trends. This reflects our commitment to providing access to all programs," Bolstad said this morning. Depending on the school, the increase in tuition and fees is from 0.7 percent to 8.2 percent. Annual tuition and fees will now range from $3,678 at Eastern Oregon University in La Grande to $4,404 at University of Oregon in Eugene. Ten years ago, the cost of attending a public university in Oregon was about $2,500. Tuition and fees have risen faster than inflation in the past decade because of new programs, enrollment growth and the decline in state support, said Tom Anderes, vice chancellor for finance for the university system. But financial aid hasn't kept pace with rising college costs, said Jeff Svejcar, director of the Oregon Student Assistance Commission. Two years ago, the commission provided aid to 76 percent of eligible students, he said. Next year, 67 percent will be served, he said. The result for those who borrow is unprecedented debt. Undergraduates at Oregon public universities owed an average of $17,000 in student loans upon graduation last year, according to a recent campus survey by The Oregonian. Oregon's increases are less than those in other Western states. Tuition at the University of Washington will rise nearly 14 percent this fall to $4,566. Washington State University jumps the same rate to $4,825 in tuition and fees. Students in Colorado, Montana and Idaho also face double-digit increases. University officials say the increase at UO is partly offset by a discount offered to students who take afternoon classes. The university will give students taking certain mid- to late-afternoon classes a 15 percent tuition break, and will lower tuition for part-time students taking less than 12 credit hours per term. At Oregon State, the tuition rise is only 0.7 percent because the university has eliminated the $90 energy surcharge it imposed last year. Tuition and fees at Portland State will rise by 4.4 percent because students wanted to charge themselves $20 per term for a new dental insurance program, said Jay Kenton, chief financial officer at Portland State. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing