Members of the Ohio University Board of Trustees recommended a bevy of new student fees - including a controversial technology fee - after lengthy discussion at yesterday's Resources Committee meeting.
After quickly reviewing 221 new and increased course or college-specific fees as well as room and board hikes, the committee touched on a proposed $22 technology fee that recently prompted calls for referendums in both student senates.
The university will pay for half of the $40 million technology upgrade while charging a blanket technology fee in addition to college technology fees already in place to make up the other half, explained Bill Decatur, OU's chief financial officer.
OU needs approval from the state's top education body to skirt a tuition freeze and expects a decision in a few days, said President Roderick McDavis. The senate referendums would not take place until mid-May.
Brice Bible, OU's chief information officer, cautioned that the current system wouldn't last for much longer and the university could return to a paper system if it doesn't take action.
The system has fatigued
and OU hasn't done anything wrong but it's rather an evolution Resources Committee Chairman Larry Schey said.
I have no desire to send us back to The Flintstones but would it set us back that much to wait for the referendum? Student Trustee Tracy Kelly said.
Faculty Representative Joe McLaughlin suggested deleting the word technology from the name of the fee to give a better message.
McDavis agreed with trustees Gene Harris and Kelly that the university needed to make a concerted effort to inform students and parents of the intent and status of the fee.
Pete Wickman, president of Graduate Student Senate, said he would prefer the state wait until after a referendum to make a decision, while Sally Neidhard, vice president of Student Senate, said she also supported waiting.
Students in the College of Communications could already pay $27 more in technology fees while those in the College of Fine Arts could pay them for the first time, if the full board accepts the committee's recommendation today.
The first fees brought to the table at yesterday's meeting were proposed 5 percent increases in instructional fees for the College of Osteopathic Medicine and surcharges for non-residential students.
The committee then recommended a proposed 7 percent and 3 percent increase in room and board rates respectively.
Wage increases, benefits, health insurance and market conditions were all considered when figuring the rate increases, said Christine Sheets, executive director of Residential Housing, prior to the meeting yesterday.
The fee awaits board approval at 10 a.m. today in the Governance Room, Walter Hall.
-Dave Hendricks contributed to this article
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Adam Liebendorfer
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The Board of Trustees
