Tuition to increase 6 percent for next academic year

COLUMBUS – The Ohio State University Board of Trustees considered a preliminary plan today (5/6) to increase undergraduate tuition and fees 6 percent for the 2005-06 academic year, the smallest percentage increase since 2001, despite continued flat state funding and additional cost pressures. The proposal’s first reading today will be followed by a final vote in June.

The increase will allow the University to sustain its progress with the Academic Plan, including improving the educational experience of students, while meeting state-mandated tuition caps, said Barbara Snyder, executive vice president and provost.

“Students will continue to benefit from improvements in the undergraduate curriculum, increased opportunities for greater interaction with faculty, additional course and program offerings and improvements in technology and other aspects of the learning environment,” Snyder said. “Additionally, students are being offered more learning opportunities outside the classroom, along with improved housing and safety.”

William J. Shkurti, senior vice president for business and finance, said that, while the University is grateful for flat state funding in such a tight budget year, the tuition increase is necessary to maintain progress. Even with the proposed increase, Ohio State’s tuition will rank fifth among Ohio’s 13 public universities and the University will continue to operate with fewer resources than either Ohio’s other competitive admissions public institutions or its benchmark peers, he said.

On average, Ohio State’s tuition is $611 less per student than that of other competitive admission public universities in Ohio, and $604 less than similar institutions across the country. Yet Ohio State ranks 22nd among the nation’s top public universities and first among Ohio’s public research universities in academic rankings, according to U.S. News and World Report.

“Ohio State’s tuition will remain in the midpoint of our competitors, but the value of the experience we provide will be far higher,” he said.

At the same time, financial aid will be increased proportionately to offset higher tuition. “This will allow the University to continue its strong commitment to economic diversity, which serves our education mission,” Shkurti said. University-funded financial aid is greater at Ohio State than at any other public university in Ohio, he added.

Under the tuition proposal, Columbus campus resident undergraduate tuition and fees will increase $450 or 6 percent for resident undergraduates new to the Columbus campus. The resulting tuition and general fees will be $7,956 per academic year, effective Fall Quarter 2005.

For most other students, the base increase will be 6 percent, excluding a mandatory recreation fee of $42 per quarter that is effective this summer. Differential increases will apply for business and professional students depending on their programs. Regional campus fees will be presented at the June board meeting after regional deans consult with their advisory boards.

Shkurti said that focused efforts to reduce costs will continue, and the University will continue to generate funding from additional sources and review academic programs and core business processes. Additionally, an estimated internal reallocation of $6 million to $12 million in FY 2006 will be needed to protect financial aid and other core services to students.

“Even though our academic support costs are less than those of our competitors, we will continue efforts to achieve cost savings through improved operations,” he said.