YOUNGSTOWN YSU raises its tuition

Despite the tuition increases, the university's president said YSU is still a bargain.
By MARALINE KUBIK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State University trustees increased tuition Monday, revising a tuition plan approved in March.
The increase is an attempt to compensate for a smaller-than-anticipated allotment from the state.
The increase in tuition under the new plan will be an average of 5.1 percent for fiscal year 2002, which begins July 1.
What it costs: Freshmen and sophomores will pay $4,204; juniors and seniors will pay $4,348.
YSU president David Sweet called the price of an education here "a significant bargain. "YSU will still have the lowest tuition of four-year universities in Ohio."
Some will raise tuition 9.3 percent. Nevertheless, the YSU increases pose a challenge in attracting new students, he said. Sweet's goal is to increase enrollment 5 percent over the next year.
Because more than half YSU's $100 million annual general fund budget comes from student tuition and fees, more students would help alleviate the budget crunch.
The number of students registering for the fall term is about where it was last year.
Two tuition plans: Sweet introduced two tuition plans to trustees Monday.
The first focuses on providing incentives to first-time freshmen and students enrolled in associate degree programs.
The second, which was unanimously approved by the board, spreads discounts among all freshmen and sophomores and all students in associate degree programs.
The discounts aren't as great, he noted, but they are spread among a greater number of students.
The tuition and fees go into effect in August.
Hiring: As a result of the tightening budget, executive vice president G.L. Mears issued a hiring freeze May 23 despite 17 vacant faculty positions and 18 vacant nonfaculty jobs.
Some have been filled, said John Habat, special assistant to Sweet.
Decisions regarding hiring will be based on a case-by-case basis, with an emphasis on faculty and security.