YSU Sweet seeks to increase tuition 8.9%

The proposed increase would help offset state funding cuts.
By RON COLE
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State University students would pay $204 more per semester this fall under a tuition plan recommended this morning by President David Sweet.
Undergraduate tuition would jump from $2,294 for the spring semester, now under way, to $2,498 for the fall semester, which begins in August, an 8.9 percent increase.
Sweet said the increase is needed to help offset a 6 percent, or $3 million, cut in state funding for the 2002-2003 academic year.
The increase in tuition will generate $4.4 million annually.
Discussion planned: The YSU Board of Trustees' finance and facilities committee planned to discuss the recommendation this morning. The full board will meet March 27 to vote on Sweet's proposal.
YSU projects an $8.6 million increase in expenditures next year, which includes salaries, fringe benefits, technical staff funding and other improvements.
The tuition increase covers slightly more than half of the anticipated increase in expenses.
Sweet has proposed using $2.7 million to build the university's reserves and to cut the campuswide operating budget by $1.4 million.
"We strive to ensure that the student will not bear the full burden of state budget cuts and increased costs," Sweet said.
Sweet said YSU's tuition will continue to be the lowest among major four-year public universities in Ohio.
He does not plan any staff layoffs, he said.
"YSU already is the most efficient and cost-effective among state universities," he said.
Deal with state: Ohio public universities recently worked out an agreement with Gov. Bob Taft to increase tuition no more than 10 percent over current levels.
YSU has developed a $245,000 emergency loan fund for students to help lessen the impact of the tuition increases.
"Financial limitations will not bar a student access to this university," Sweet said.