Ohio State plans tuition increase for next academic year

The Ohio State University today (5/5) proposed a 6 percent increase in tuition ? under $500 a year ? for resident undergraduate students on the Columbus campus for the 2006-2007 academic years. The university's Board of Trustees heard a first reading of the proposal at their monthly meeting and will vote on the proposal in June.

The proposal is consistent with the General Assembly's mandatory tuition caps and in line with tuition increases at Ohio's other public universities with competitive admissions.

The university's commitment to academic excellence is driving the tuition increase, said William J. Shkurti, senior vice president for business and finance. "We need the resources to recruit and retain the best students and faculty, to increase need-based financial aid so that access to a university education is possible for lower income students and to keep up on technological advances so that we can provide the best learning environment possible. Ohio State now ranks in the top 25 of our nation's public universities, and we need to keep the momentum."

Shkurti told the board's Fiscal Affairs Committee that the growth in state support for higher education continues to lag behind inflation. After adjusting for inflation, the Columbus campus is receiving approximately 20 percent less state support per full time student than it did in 2001.

"State support accounted for approximately 33 percent of the university's general funds budget last year, compared with 43 percent in 2001," Shkurti said. "Meanwhile, we continue to absorb increased energy costs, higher health care expenses, building maintenance needs and costs associated with increased technology ? all critical to the student experience."

Ohio State will still be well positioned among Ohio's public universities, ranking below Miami, Cincinnati, Bowling Green and Ohio University and just above Kent State in full-time resident undergraduate tuition and fees, Shkurti said.

For students admitted in Summer 2003 and after, full-time instructional and general fees will be $8,406 for a three-quarter academic year pending trustee approval. For students admitted between Summer 2002 and Spring 2003 and before Summer 2002, full-time instructional fees will be $8,298. These figures include a $15 per quarter Student Activity Fee for all students.

In addition, students will pay a mandatory per quarter Recreation and Physical Activity Center (RPAC) fee of $78 and a $9 per quarter Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) fee that are excluded from the state-mandated cap on tuition and fees. The board approved implementing a previously approved increase in the RPAC fee from $42 to $78 per quarter in order to operate the third phase of the newly constructed recreation center, due to open in autumn quarter.

Differential increases for graduate and professional students will rise 5.1 to 10 percent effective fall quarter depending on their programs. Changes in college-specific fees ? such as computer fees and program fees ? and user fees ? such as parking costs ? will be presented at the board's June meeting.

Shkurti emphasized that the university continues aggressively to cut costs by reviewing core business processes and seeking revenue through private fund-raising and funding sources other than the state.

"Despite an uncertain financial environment and intense competition in higher education, The Ohio State University will remain a tremendous value for our students and for the people of Ohio," he said.