Trustees OK rise in tuition

The increases will go into effect in August.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Students attending Youngstown State University during the 2002-03 school year will be spending more money on their education.
The YSU trustee board accepted a proposal Friday from the budget committee to increase tuition for the 2002 fiscal year. The average increase will be 5.1 percent higher than students paid in 2001.
Freshmen and sophomores will pay $4,204, compared with $3,989 in 2000-01. Juniors and seniors will pay $4,348, compared with $4,142 in 2001.
Dr. G.L. Mears, YSU executive vice president, explained that the increase was needed because the school will receive between $1 million and $2 million less in funding from the state than previously expected.
Mears said state funding and student tuition and fees make up about 47 percent of the university's funding. He said when one of those sources diminishes, the other has to compensate.
No choice: "We get a lot of heat from students about tuition increases, but our tuition has to increase because our state funding is so slow," he said. "There will almost certainly be an increase in 2003. I don't like it, but if the state doesn't pay, students have to pay."
The new fees go into effect in August.
Mears said the increase will generate an additional $996,000 in funds that will be placed in a Budget Stabilization Reserve to offset costs in 2003. He said there will be virtually no additional state funding to the university in 2003 over 2002.
Reactions: Freshman Kathy Sullivan said the tuition increase does not bother her because the increases are not that significant and additional funds are needed to operate the school.
"If they have less state funding, then I guess they have to do what they have to do," she said. "If it was an outrageous increase then I might be more upset."
Not all students, like sophomore Jennifer Kovalesky, are as understanding. Kovalesky said she will continue her education at YSU, but would like to see more student services to justify the tuition increase.
Trustees also said goodbye to board member Bruce Beeghly, who attended his last meeting. Atty. John L. Pogue of Warren replaces Beeghly.