State universities propose tuition surcharges

by Associated Press, Kevin Tripp/KTAR (April 9th, 2009 @ 8:43am)

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All three state universities are proposing tuition surcharges to help make up for cuts in their state funding.

The decision could come at midnight which would be the deadline for the new fee as Arizona State University.

ASU President Michael Crow said the fee will go away when the economy recovers, but he admitted that could be awhile. "And so the options if we don't recover that revenue are very serious."

"The range is a few hundred to somewhere between $1,000 and $2,000," he said for students.

The University of Arizona is recommending a $1,000 per year ``economic recovery surcharge'' that would be in place for at least two years. That would bump tuition to more than $7,000 a year for in-state students.

A memo from President Robert Shelton released on Wednesday said the university could need to increase that to $2,000 per student if federal stimulus money isn't available, just to maintain existing classes, research and outreach efforts.

The state is getting $800 million for all education efforts over two years from the federal stimulus program. But that is one-time money, so the universities can't count on it to do anything more than plug a budget hole.

Shelton's memo said the UA has already absorbed $77 million in state budget cuts.

Northern Arizona University told the Arizona Board of Regents it will need at least $435 more in tuition, and up to $1,200 if federal stimulus money is not used.

Arizona State University also is considering a surcharge, but officials haven't laid out a specific amount, saying it depends on federal money and the depth of state cuts. It is also proposing fee hikes.

Shelton's memo doesn't outline exactly what the money would support, but it said the funds are designed to maintain the university's current offerings.

``The economic-recovery surcharge would be targeted toward areas that are most essential to student success,'' the memo said. ``Our students know the quality of their education depends on having the necessary funding to sustain the academic and student services and infrastructure that undergirds their experience.''

Shelton's request is a departure from earlier plans to deal with state budget cuts. The president previously said he preferred to charge dedicated fees to cover costs such as utilities, advising and library service. However, those preliminary mandatory fees also would have totaled about $1,000.

A task force set up by the Board of Regents was scheduled to discuss the proposals at a meeting Thursday.

(Copyright 2008 Bonneville International Corporation. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.)

Last 5 Comments

• 0 Reply Abuse Vote

  ASU

  wheelchairwhiz

  ASU has plenty of money. Crow spends freely on outside ligitation to defend ASU because he is an unapologetic bigot. Get rid of Crow and there will be milions more per year for education. The taxpayer foot the bill for his bad behavior in court fees, settlements, lawyer fees, and the whole nine yards. Why would Obama want a degree from this place anyway?

  11014
• 0 Reply Abuse Vote

  Make Napolitano and Immigrants Without Borders pay!

  Whatzupchuck

  Illegals are draining school funds on all levels. Since Janet N and IWB want them here so badly, let *them* pay for the illegals. Since they're all "familia" and they're doing the state "good", Janet and IWB can pay. So send the bill to those pro-illegal losers. They have 60 days to pay up, or the round-ups and deportations will kick into high gear.

  10940
• 0 Reply Abuse Vote

  stop paying basektball coaches so much money

  Lester M

  Unbelievable, this is announced just after U of A offered the new men's basketball coach a ton of money. What a joke. I love sports and feel they are an important part of life, but do we really need to be paying these coaches this much money? Heck I'll coach them for $75,000 a year!

  10927
• 0 Reply Abuse Vote

  Adding a surcharge

  nihipali

  You have got to be kidding? How are we supposed to receive a wonderful education if we can't even afford to do it? I know that the job of these universities presidents is to suck up to corporate leaders and gain $$ from them and charge the crap out of their students and that all they are are "glorified" money makers. BUT, that can't happen if you keep charging these young adults kids the money that you are. They'll stop going to school. It isn't a wonder it takes people 5-10 years to finish a degree. The longer a university can keep a student attending there, the more money they can make off that student. Just quit spending millions on crazy stuff like secretaries for each dean, secretaries for the secretary and so forth. Lower the prices of the dorms and allow the RA to get a tuition break including books instead of paying them. Make it an internship for future leaders. Duh, come up with something. I know that RAs already get breaks because I was one and I also got paid (which was really cheesy way back then and not necessary...I'm not that uneducated). Stop charging $5 to students to replace their ID cards and change the parking lot fees. Now, that is a little ridiculous. If the car belongs to a student who lives on campus include the fee in their board fees. If they drive to campus, they will pay every day, that'll cut down on parking issues. Wow, what a novice idea. $500-$600 a term or year for parking. Give me a break. I bet at some schools its higher! And don't get me started about graduation. Why charge the GRADUATE $150 to graduate? What the heck is that all about? They just worked their *^%$$ off and now they have to pay again to walk. You have got to be kidding me. This is the best day of their life and you are keeping them from doing it. That doesn't sound exciting to me.

  10923
• 0 Reply Abuse Vote

  Outreach?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

  AZJeff11

  CUT SPENDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why must everyone pay EXCEPT them?

  10919
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