Arizona State University has proposed a surcharge of $320 for in-state students, along with other special program fees to offset budget cuts.
On Monday, April 20, the Arizona Board of Regents hosted an interactive hearing with students and the public to discuss the 2015-2016 tuition proposals. The meeting was hosted at each ASU campus, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona.
A video conference call allowed those in attendance to see and hear each university president read their tuition proposals for the upcoming academic year, as well as hear comments and concerns from individuals at each school.
According to ASU’s statement on the 2015-2016 tuition proposal to ABOR, there will be a $53 million reduction in funding, which represents a 15 percent cut on a per in-state student basis.
ASU President Michael Crow addressed the cuts at the hearing.
“Like last year, we are proposing no additional tuition increase for in-state students,” Crow said.
However, they are proposing a one-year only surcharge of $320 for in-state students, he said.
The surcharge will “help fill a portion of the gap until the state’s finances stabilize,” according to ASU’s statement.
The university does not anticipate any additional in-state tuition adjustments in the future beyond this year, Crow said.
For out-of-state students, there will be a four percent increase, according to the proposal. There will be an 11.6 percent increase in tuition for undergraduate international students and a 10.9 percent increase for graduate international students, Crow said.
For online students, there will be a two percent increase in credit hour charges, according to Crow. The proposal introduces a $250 per semester fee increase for Barrett, The Honors College.
It also includes a $250 per semester differential tuition increase for new students attending the Walter Cronkite School in Fall 2015, Crow said.
This will not affect current students at the school, according to an email sent by Cronkite School Dean Christopher Callahan. In the email, Callahan said technology cost and usage is increasing.
“It is critical that our students have access to the kind of technologies required in today’s digital media world,” Callahan said in his email.
Cassidy Possehl, ASU Undergraduate Student Government Tempe president, thanked ABOR for taking the time to hear student’s opinions on ASU’s tuition proposal.
“Thank you for inviting students here today to have a big voice in the tuition setting process, allowing us to be here in front of you reminds us that student voices are valued and taken into account, even in the most difficult and complex situations,” Possehl said. “That kind of partnership is incredibly empowering and we do not take it for granted.”
She then read a statement written and endorsed by the council of presidents of the Associated Students of Arizona State University, which said that the council supported the tuition proposal.
German Cadenas, vice president of external affairs for the Graduate and Professional Student Association, highlighted the need for continuing support, especially with financial aid and professional development opportunities.
“We believe that the Arizona universities and the Arizona Board of Regents can be a leader on student loan debt and help drive this discussion at the national level,” Cadenas said.
Contact the reporter at Contact the reporter at Madison.Rowbotham@asu.edu
