Panel delays action on tuition increase

A trustee put the blame on wage increases for university employees.
By KANTELE FRANKO
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A committee of the Youngstown State University Board of Trustees barely passed a vote Thursday to postpone a decision on a proposed 6 percent tuition increase.
Members of the Finance and Facilities Committee expressed concerns that all options, information and consequences had not been explored before voting 6-5 to table the resolution until March.
Trustees who voted against the delay cited the need for advance notice for students and the desire to announce any increases before other public Ohio universities as reasons to go ahead with the vote.
Need for increase
Trustee John Pogue argued that the need for a 6-percent tuition increase has been obvious since university employees negotiated wage increases two months ago.
"We voted on this increase when we voted on the contract," Pogue said. "This ship has sailed."
Donald Cagigas questioned how to justify "giving employees what they want" and passing those extra costs directly to students.
But President David Sweet defended the tuition increase, saying that though the administration would prefer not to raise tuition, such a move is the only option in light of decreasing state funding -- an estimated 2 percent, or about $800,000 -- and lower-than-expected enrollment.
During the same meeting, the committee cited this year's low enrollment before passing a resolution to decrease the 2006 operating budget by $620,000.
Enrollment
YSU's enrollment stands at 10,332 full-time equivalents this year, but trustees and finance analysts are considering possible budget arrangements for the 2006-07 school year using estimates from 10,220 to 10,425.
Full-time equivalent enrollment is determined by dividing the total number of students' hours by a full-time load of 15.
Before the beginning of the school year, the university would find ways to offset the $1.15 million deficit that would result if the 6-percent increase goes into effect and enrollment hits only 10,220 full-time equivalents. An enrollment of about 10,370 would allow the institution to break even.
Increases
The proposed 6-percent tuition increase -- which includes instructional, technology and general fees -- would raise annual undergraduate resident tuition from $6,333 to $6,713. Nonresident tuition would be $9,329 for regional students and $12,233 for nonregional students, up from $8,805 and $11,541, respectively.
Resident tuition for a graduate student would increase from $7,765 to $8,233 per year. Annual nonresident tuition would be $11,281 for regional graduate students and $14,113 for nonregional graduate students.
Approval of the resolution by the full board after discussions in March would institute the university's ninth consecutive tuition increase.
Bob McGovern, president of the Student Government Association, spoke to the trustees at the meeting about the need to keep costs down while maintaining the quality of education.
As the group reviewed budget and tuition options, committee Chairman William Bresnahan tried to lighten the discussion by joking with McGovern after a computer display failed to work.
"Good news, Bob. The fees are frozen," Bresnahan said.