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SOU raises student fees Nonresidents, graduates will feel biggest squeeze BY DANI DODGE ASHLAND -- Despite a continued "tuition freeze" for resident undergraduates at Southern Oregon University, the cost of attending the university will rise. The Board of Higher Education met in Coos Bay Friday and voted to maintain a tuition freeze for resident undergraduates, but increased tuition for graduate students and nonresidents. Additionally, technology, health, incidental and matriculation fees for all students increased. Tuition is now considered simply the instructional fee for the university, and not the entire cost of attending. "I don't anticipate a decline in enrollment because of (the higher fees)," SOU President Stephen Reno said. "But I know a few dollars' increase can be a problem. I hope the students know we know that and we are doing everything we can to keep our fees as low as possible." Reno said the fee increases were made only after consultation with student representatives. Some were made after being proposed by student groups. With the fee increases, the total cost of attending SOU for resident undergraduates will increase 1.1 percent to $1,078 per term. Nonresident undergraduates -- those students who haven't lived in Oregon for the past two years -- will see a 5.3 percent increase to $3,299 per term. Resident graduate students and nonresident graduate students will see 5.3 percent increases in their costs to $1,820 and $3,238 respectively. Contributing to the fee increases: A one-time matriculation fee went up from $25 to $40 to cover costs for student handbooks and day planners. Incidental fees increased by 3.6 percent to $114.50 per term. The increase will aid the Schneider Child Care Center and student organizations. Health service fees increased by 3 percent to $68.50 per term to cover inflation and other operating costs. The technology fees will increase by 25 percent to a maximum of $30 per term to address increased demand for technology services. "The fees are necessary for us to provide the exceptional experience our students need," Reno said. As an example, Reno pointed out that technology costs are continually rising at the university. The students are sharing the burden with the university's general fund and grant monies. "If we don't have the equipment and software packages the students expect, they will vote with their feet and go elsewhere," Reno said. University administrators are especially concerned about enrollment this year because the new state funding mechanisms tie school funding to the number of students attending. Reno said the university would carefully monitor whether the fees hurt enrollment. He said there are indications that enrollment will not be dropping off. The university this week hosted "freshman Friday" -- one of four sessions that allow prospective students to visit and begin the enrollment process. "We've had robust turnouts, both this Friday and last, including out-of-state students," Reno said. In other action, the board authorized the sale of the bonds that are funding the matching grant for the university's new Center for the Visual Arts. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA