The BGSU Board of Trustees approved a 6 percent increase in tuition and fees for the 2005-06 academic year.

Students who enrolled before the summer of 2002 will see a $232 increase in tuition per semester, while those enrolling at or later than summer 2002 will see an increase of $244. The six percent increase reaches the maximum cap approved by the state of Ohio.

Trying to put a pleasant face on a grim financial picture, Christopher Dalton, senior vice president of Finance and Administration, said while the University was feeling ‘#34;very real pain’#34; due to lack of government funding, he determined that overall the University was ‘#34;much better off than early signs said we would be.’#34;

According to materials presented by Dalton, for a student living on campus paying tuition, room, board and registration fees, the cost for students enrolled before summer 2002 will be $14,682: an increase of $674 over the 2004-05 academic year. For those enrolled at or beyond summer 2002, the cost will be $14,994: an increase of $698.

Much of the financial constraints felt by the University are due to the decrease in funding at the state and federal level. There will be $3.2 million in permanent budget reductions to balance the budget for the coming year. This comes after $4 million in reductions for 2004-05, and brings the total reductions since the 2002-03 school year to $12.5 million.

In 2001, 49 percent of revenue was generated through tuition and student fees, as opposed to 51 percent being provided by the state. For the 2006 fiscal year, it is projected that only 29.45 percent of revenue will come from the state, and 66.02 percent will come from tuition and student fees with the remainder coming from other revenue sources.

Comparing the 1997-98 fiscal year with 2005-06, the state provided $72.45 million and $71.68 respectively, which represents over a one percent decrease. Comparatively, student fees over the same years has gone from $75.37 million to $160.73 million: a 113 percent increase.

Dalton attributed the steady reduction in state support to the state’#39;s desire to bolster K-12 education, the popularity of two-year schools and a ‘#34;dismal track record of state funding in higher education.’#34;

The budget includes a 3 percent raise for University employees and an additional 0.25 percent pool for merit increases for eligible faculty and staff. President Sidney Ribeau stated that enhancing the competitiveness of BGSU faculty and staff compensation continues to be among the institution’#39;s highest priorities, to attract and retain high caliber faculty and staff, and to be at a level comparable to similar universities in the area.

Board of Trustees member Michael Marsh, in a presentation as head of the evaluation committee, said that University President Sidney Ribeau declined to participate in the 3 percent salary increase.

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