MTU raises tuition 12.9 percent
DEARBORN, Mich.--Faced with escalating costs and near-flat state revenues, the Michigan Technological University Board of Control voted July 17 to approve a net tuition increase of 12.9 percent for the 2001-02 academic year.
In addition, a one-time utility fee of $7 per credit hour will be charged to help defray the 38 percent increase in energy costs anticipated for the coming year. The total for the average full-time undergraduate will be about $210 per year. And, at the request of the Undergraduate Student Government, the Board agreed to a $46 increase in the annual student activity fee, from $40 to $86. Revenues from the student activity fee are earmarked for entertainment, recreation, and other programs that enhance student life.
"This tuition increase is by far the largest in the ten years I've been here, and it's been a very difficult decision," Michigan Tech President Curt Tompkins said. "But at the end of the day, we concluded that this was the only way to preserve the quality of our academic programs."
To contain costs, Michigan Tech has already greatly reduced employee travel and has deferred filling all but the most essential faculty and staff positions. "But there is a limit to what we can do before these cutbacks start to affect course offerings, the quality of our faculty, and the availability of high-end technology and facilities," Tompkins said.
Underlying the financial pressures faced by Michigan Tech and other public universities has been the sluggish economy. In response to a slow-down in tax revenues, the state has increased its appropriation to Michigan Tech by a modest 1.5 percent, the lowest increase in a decade. In addition to increased energy costs, the University is facing another problem typical of many Michigan employers: a projected increase in health-care costs of 12 percent.
While the increases in tuition and fees are substantial, most students and parents will not be faced with paying the full amount out of pocket. Approximately 70 percent of Michigan Tech students receive some sort of financial aid, Tompkins noted. "We are absolutely committed to assuring that any qualified student who wants to attend Michigan Tech will not be denied access," he said.
Starting in fall 2001, full-academic-year tuition for lower-division (freshmen and sophomore), Michigan resident students will increase 11 percent, from $4,530 to $5,028. Upper-division (junior and senior), Michigan resident students will see an increase of 15 percent, from $4,744 to $5,456. Resident tuition for graduate students increases 9.9 percent, from $4,872 to $5,354.
Lower-division tuition rises 11 percent, from $11,086 to $12,308, for non-Michigan residents. Tuition for upper-division, non-Michigan resident students will increase 15 percent, from $11,784 to $13,552. Non-resident tuition for graduate students increases 9.9 percent, from $10,008 to $10,998.In other business the Board of Control gave final approval to a BS in Bioinformatics and preliminary approval to a PhD in Engineering Physics and a Professional Master of Science degree.