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SOU students face higher tuition By Tony Boom ASHLAND � Southern Oregon University students will face their first tuition increase in four years next fall if either of two proposed budgets are adopted by the Legislature. But there is no consensus among officials on how much more they will pay. The State Board of Higher Education�s budget recommends 2.5 percent increases each year for the 2001-2003 biennium to meet budget demands and avoid cutting campus programs. Gov. John Kitzhaber�s budget, however, proposes 4 percent hikes for each year. And university officials say the increases could be even higher. Oregon Chancellor Joe Cox, a former SOU president, said he won�t have firm numbers on percentage increases until 2001, but he hopes they won�t go into double digits. SOU interim President Sara Hopkins-Powell also won�t predict a final number. A 4 percent tuition increase at SOU would amount to $34 more per term over the current $840 for 12 to 18 units. (When additional fees are added, tuition currently costs $1,123 per term.) "I wouldn�t choose not to go (to SOU) for $34, but an increase makes it harder," said freshman Arian Goodwin, 23, a computer science major from Ashland. Goodwin relies on financial aid to cover his expenses, but that�s not enough. Another $34 in his pocket now would make a huge difference, he added. "To get less and less makes it hard to focus on education. Instead you have to focus on surviving an education," said Goodwin. "Eventually, less people will be getting an education." But business major Peter Grones, 25, of Ashland, said he figured the increases were necessary to keep up with the cost of living. "I wouldn�t be opposed," he said. "It�s probably for a good reason. Inflation is three percent per year." Grones will return for one quarter next fall to complete his degree work. He finances his education with student loans and by working 30 hours per week. "It doesn�t seem like it�s very fair," said single parent Sarah Stinson, 21. "It seems students get the short end of the stick all the time." Stinson relies on loans and grants to go to school. She doesn�t work during the school year so she has time to spend with her daughter; she does work during summers. Geology senior Danielle Stanford, 23, who plans to go to Oregon State University for graduate studies next year, said more money for tuition should mean more services for students. "If they increase tuition, they should show us something. We don�t understand why we have to pay more," said Stanford. "It�s not like the teachers are teaching us any better." Hopkins-Powell agreed students and families should be told what they are getting for their money. Kitzhaber�s 4 percent increase would backfill cuts elsewhere in the budget, said Hopkins-Powell. The Oregon University System had assumed there would be no other cuts and the 2.5 percent increase would boost faculty salaries. "The students were willing to support an increase if it benefited faculty and increased quality," said Hopkins-Powell. SOU is beginning a tuition study to determine at what point increases would affect enrollment. SOU�s enrollment declined by 4.5 percent this fall. "Nobody knows what level of tuition increase is going to be needed," said university system spokesperson Bob Bruce. "It�s clear that 2.5 percent ... is not going to be sufficient, but how much additional is needed will only be determined as we move through the Legislature and we know what kind of funding will be provided for the budget model and other initiatives." Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.