Ohio State amends tuition proposal

COLUMBUS – Consistent with principles agreed upon by Governor Taft and the Inter-University Council that recognize the need for Ohio State to reposition its tuition among state universities, The Ohio State University today announced that it would amend its tuition proposal for the 2002-03 academic year by phasing in an additional charge for new students over the next two or three years.

As previously announced, the University’s proposal calls for tuition for current students to rise by nine percent to $5,217 for three academic quarters. New students entering school beginning next summer would pay $5,217 plus an additional $475 for a total of $5,692 or an increase of approximately 18 percent. That compares with an additional charge of $1,200 proposed to the University’s Board of Trustees on February 1.

“We appreciate the Governor’s recognition that Ohio State must reposition its tuition consistent with our commitment to academic excellence and our potential to serve as a catalyst for growing Ohio’s knowledge economy,” President William E. Kirwan said. “At the same time, we recognize – as Governor Taft has pointed out – that many Ohio families face difficulties in today’s tough fiscal climate. The phase-in approach should help in this regard. Also, as I have stated previously, we are committed to preserving access and affordability by increasing grants and scholarships to assure that no admitted student is turned away for financial reasons,” Kirwan added.

Regarding future years, Kirwan said that, “We remain committed to our original plan but now expect to implement it over two or three years rather than all at once. The budgetary problem that formed the basis for our original proposal remains, and higher tuition rates must be part of the solution. Next year, after taking into account the new level of state support, we will propose an additional charge for FY 2004.”

“This amended proposal means that for FY 2003 we will face a substantial cash flow shortfall,” Kirwan continued. “We will address this shortfall through a combination of additional selective spending reductions, additional revenue from other sources, redirection of existing resources and careful cash flow management.

"The tuition levels we have discussed presume no additional state budget cuts this year or next year,” Kirwan added. “With this assumption and further belt-tightening, the tuition increases we propose will be sufficient for us to meet our commitment to faculty and staff compensation next year. Any further reduction in state support would prevent us from meeting this commitment and would require us to reconsider our entire tuition strategy."

“Implementing this tuition package over two or three years will allow us to make continued progress toward academic excellence, although not as quickly as we would like and not without additional and painful budget trimming,” Kirwan said in conclusion.

The Board of Trustees is expected to act on the University’s proposal at its March 1, 2002 meeting.