Ohio University plans to increase tuition by 6 percent for the 2005-06 academic year, with a similar increase possible the following year, said OU President Roderick McDavis at his press conference yesterday.
A 6 percent hike would translate into a $155 tuition increase per student per quarter, he said. The increase will be proposed to the Board of Trustees at its meeting Friday.
Ohio Gov. Bob Taft's proposed 2005-06 budget calls for almost an $11 million cut to Ohio's four-year public universities.
McDavis said the cuts in state funding dictated the 6 percent increase.
It does not get us all the way there
but it will get us fairly close to where we need to be with balancing our budget he said.
Taft's proposed budget also calls for state subsidies for public universities in Ohio to be linked to enrollment during the next biennium. McDavis said that proposal could cause OU to lose money because some state universities have grown recently, while OU has seen enrollment decline.
Over the last two years OU's total enrollment decreased by 479 students
from a total of 28
992 students in fall 2002 to 28
513 in fall 2004
McDavis said.
Also at the press conference:
n In response to the new Urban Scholars Program, 118 prospective students from 37 Ohio school districts visited OU's campus last night. The students are on campus today for tours and activities.
I am positive many
if not all
(of the prospective students) will have interest in coming to our university this fall after their visit
McDavis said. This is a historic event for our university.
n Wesam Construction of Chester, a regional construction company, will renovate and maintain the Mill Street Apartments, McDavis said.
I am excited
pleased
