UAFS to see 6.91% hike in tuition and student fees

Proposed tuition and fee increases within the University of Arkansas system could mean University of Arkansas at Fort Smith students see their total semester bill go from $4,600 a semester to $4,918.

Although the increase of 6.91% is highest in the UA system, the UAFS per semester student costs will remain the lowest among the five four-year universities.

Dr. Arleene Breaux, vice chancellor for university relations, said the higher UAFS percentage increase was likely the result of UAFS costs being so low compared to the other schools.

• Proposed fiscal year 2010-2011 tuition and fee increases
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
2009-2010: $6,459
2010-2011: $6,767
up 4.77%

University of Arkansas at Little Rock
2009-2010: $6,331
2010-2011: $6,642
up 4.91%

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
2009-2010: $4,796
2010-2011: $5,032
up 4.92%

University of Arkansas at Monticello
2009-2010: $4,750
2010-2011: $4,990
up 5.05%

University of Arkansas at Fort Smith
2009-2010: $4,600
2010-2011: $4,918
up 6.91%

Breaux said the increase translates to $159 more per student per semester. The per semester hour fee changes at UAFS include:
Activity fee increase from $12 to $13;
Athletic fee increase from $12 to $13;
New library fee of $3;
Technology fee increase from $9 to $9.40; and,
Health clinic fee increase (per term) from $30 to $33.

Breaux said UAFS officials have been meeting with several student groups to alert them to the coming tuition and fee changes.

At statement from the UA system noted that UA colleges and universities lost more than $8.5 million to state budget cuts during a year that saw enrollment increase more than 3,600 students. Falling tax revenues caused Gov. Mike Beebe to nix about $100 million from the state budget.

“These are difficult economic times, and like the rest of the state, we in higher education have to live within our means,” UA System President B. Alan Sugg said in a statement. “Our goal is to keep tuition as low as possible, while maintaining a quality education for our students.”

The UA Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet 10:15 a.m., April 16 (Friday) at the UA System Office at 2404 N. University Ave. in Little Rock.

The UA statement also noted three broad areas in which the new revenue will be used.
• Institutions hope to implement the second half of a state-mandated pay plan for classified employees. The first half was implemented in the 2010 fiscal year.
• Institutions hope to provide a modest pay increase to non-classified faculty and staff, after these employees’ pay remained flat in 2010.
• Institutions are budgeting for about a 3 percent increase in health care premiums for the 2011 fiscal year.

Other UA items on the tuition and fee increase
• “Federal stimulus funds and state surplus funds were included in the 2010 budget to provide a one-time lift to institutions; however, that money could not be committed to ongoing expenses, such as salaries and academic programs.”
 
• “During the economic recession, more Arkansans are opting for college over the tough job market. Enrollment jumped more than 6 percent at Arkansas institutions in the 2009 fall semester, the largest increase in several years, according to the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE), and campuses are preparing for even more students to arrive this fall thanks to the new Arkansas Scholarship Lottery.”
 
• “Campuses also face the challenge of offering competitive salaries to maintain quality faculty. With average faculty salaries at just over $60,000, Arkansas ranks last of the 16 states of the Southern Region Education Board (SREB).”
 
• “The past decade has seen a steady decline in state support for higher education in Arkansas, leading to increased tuition costs to make up for losses. While state funds covered more than 60 percent of a student’s four-year education in 1998, the state’s share sunk to 50 percent in 2008, according to ADHE. When adjusted for inflation, the purchasing power of those state dollars fell 28 percent over 10 years.”
 
• “During that same time period, enrollment at Arkansas colleges and universities grew nearly 35 percent, ranking fourth in the SREB.”