Panel OKs tuition increases

By JoANNE VIVIANO
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Expressing frustration today, a trustee committee from Youngstown State University approved two resolutions that would increase student tuition by a total of 8 percent starting in the fall of 2004.
Trustee Joe Nohra presented motions for both resolutions after sharing a note from student trustee Charity Pappas, who said she cannot afford the increased cost of tuition.
"YSU always offered an affordable and enlightened education," Nohra read from the note. "Now I'm not so sure."
The action by the Finance and Facilities Committee must be ratified by the full trustee board.
Nohra said it was unfortunate that trustees have to raise tuition, but state budget cuts make their situation difficult. He also said that he believes YSU remains "an affordable, reasonable and low-priced institution" when compared with other colleges in Ohio.
Student trustee Matthew Pastier said as a student he believes the increase is unfair but as a trustee it is necessary.
The increases would raise by 8 percent the current annual tuition rate of $5,448 for full-time in-state undergraduate students. That means the rate for an undergraduate taking from 12 to 16 credits would be $5,884, an increase of $436.
Offered figures
YSU President David C. Sweet offered figures to show that his proposed fall 2004 rate remains below the current 2003 fall average for state universities in Ohio, and below the 2003 rate for all but two of the other 12 universities.
For in-state, full-time graduate students, costs would rise from $6,720 to $7,237 per year.
The overall proposed increase is broken into two components. The first would raise tuition fees by 6 percent. The second would create a 2 percent increase on a "technology services" fee.
Sweet said the university is completing a technology master plan that will require the 2 percent increase to implement.
Components of the plan include new wireless options as well as upgrades to student computer labs, distance-learning transmissions and the university's administrative system.
"No one takes pleasure in raising tuition levels," Sweet said. "At the same time, I've repeatedly said one of my goals is to maintain and enhance the quality of our programs."
Budget cuts
Universities across the state, he added, are struggling in the face of recent state budget cuts. Sweet said the situation will worsen if taxpayers prematurely repeal the temporary 1 percent sales tax, slated to expire in June 2005.
State Share of Instruction dollars received from the state have decreased from $46.5 million in 1999 to $41.1 million in 2004, university budget documents show. As such, state dollars comprise 38 percent of the university's revenue, and tuition makes up 60 percent.
Earlier today Sweet said the university will not outsource the YSU-operated bookstore. Sweet and his Cabinet had considered turning operations of the Kilcawley Center store to Barnes & amp; Noble Inc. or Follett Corp.
"I'm very happy about the decision. It was a joint effort of both the faculty and students. It was exciting to see them working together," said Jaime Miller of Lisbon, a Student Government Association representative who served on a committee that considered bookstore options. "There's often a lot of apathy in this community, but to see faculty and students stand up together was a phenomenal experience."
Store plans
Plans for the bookstore include a 4,000-square-foot expansion and renovation that would complement the proposed student recreation center that will extend Kilcawley Center beyond the bookstore.
Members of the various YSU unions had joined students in a poster and button "Save Our Bookstore" campaign. Roughly 12 union jobs would have been affected.
"We were working very hard with labor in the area," said Christine Domhoff, president of Association for Classified Employees. "We're really interested in saving students money, and from everything we could see, the university bookstore was doing the best job."