Arkansas State University raises tuition by 3.4% on Jonesboro campus, new chancellor officially hired
by June 8, 2017 9:35 pm 295 views
The Arkansas State University Board of Trustees approved a 3.4% tuition and fee hike for the Jonesboro campus during a meeting Thursday at the Newport campus. Trustees also approved the hiring of Chancellor of Dr. Kelly Damphousse, and approved the budget for the 2017-18 school year.
ASU System President Chuck Welch said the rise in combined tuition and fees for the flagship Jonesboro campus this fall will be “in the middle of the pack” among university increases in Arkansas. ASU will continue to rank fifth in cost to attend this fall with an increase of $278 to $8,478 annually.
“There is no new state funding and very little general improvement funding for capital projects or deferred maintenance. In the absence of new money and considering inflation happens, we have to look at tuition and fees,” Welch said.
The overall ASU System operating budget for 2017-2018 will be $281.2 million, a 2.6% increase over last year. The board approved $10 million in specific capital project plans for each campus. The Jonesboro campus’ $3.9 million capital budget includes completion of the Marion Berry-University Loop road extension and $1 million for fire protection work at the Convocation Center. ASU-Beebe and ASU-Newport plan energy performance projects that will result in reduced operating costs.
The board agreed to a 25-year ground lease and building lease with Centennial Bank for construction of a Campus Welcome Center on Aggie Road on the ASU campus. Centennial Bank will pay all construction costs and operate a bank branch in 300 square feet of the 3,833-square-foot facility.