|
|
|
BOARD OF REGENTS APPROVES STATE UNIVERSITY TUITION RATES
& ALLOCATES FEDERAL STIMULUS DOLLARS |
|
Tuition Increases Required Due To Additional State
Budget Cuts |
(TOPEKA) - On June 25, 2009 the Kansas Board of Regents
established the standard resident tuition rates for the
six state universities for the upcoming 2009-2010
academic year. The newly-established tuition rates range
from a 3.9% increase at Kansas State University to an
8.5% increase at Wichita State University. The Board
also approved the University of Kansas’ rate for the
“Four-Year Tuition Compact,” the rate that applies for
first-time, full-time students who begin as freshmen in
the
Fall 2009 semester. This rate, which will be locked-in
for those students over a four-year period, was
increased by 7%.
“Each year I struggle with trying to properly balance
the needs of the universities with the financial needs
and concerns of students,” said Regent Jill Docking of
Wichita, the Vice Chair of the Kansas Board of Regents.
“A few months ago, in an effort to provide some relief
to hard-working students and their families in this
tough economy, the Board was in a position to freeze
tuition for the upcoming year. Unfortunately, additional
budget cuts, made necessary by the economic downturn and
declining state revenues, made that impossible.” |
|
| |
In May the Board received tuition proposals from each of
the six universities that were developed through
participation and input from a variety of local campus
constituent groups. Subsequently, three universities -
Emporia State University, the University of Kansas, and
Wichita State University - submitted revised proposals
that took into account the continued decline of the
Kansas economy.
“Throughout this difficult process, I was pleased to see
that students were actively and meaningfully involved on
their campuses with the tuition-setting process. That
level of engagement and buy-in by student leaders was
critically important,” noted Docking. “Even when faced
with demands for increased quality during a period when
enrollments are increasing and state funding is
declining, we must maintain our commitment to keep the
cost of a higher education within the reach of all
Kansans. I’m pleased that a state university education
in Kansas remains the best buy in the region.”
A recent survey conducted by the Board compared the
in-state tuition and fee rates of Kansas’ six state
universities to similar institutions in neighboring
states for the recently concluded 2008-2009 academic
year. The results of the survey demonstrate that tuition
rates in Kansas are the lowest in the region. Kansans
who attended Kansas State University, the University of
Kansas, or Wichita State University, the state’s three
research institutions, on average pay $765 or 12% less
than residents in neighboring states to attend similar
institutions each year. Kansans who attend Emporia State
University, Fort Hays State University, or Pittsburg
State University, the state’s three regional
institutions, on average pay $756 or 19% less than
residents in neighboring states to attend similar
institutions each year.
Today the Board also made the decision that a majority
of the federal stimulus dollars the state universities
will receive for Fiscal Years 2009 and 2010 will be
allocated to important deferred building maintenance
projects on those campuses. Two-thirds ($26.6 million)
of the $39.9 million in stimulus funds will be allocated
to deferred maintenance projects while one-third ($13.3
million) will be used for tuition cost mitigation.
Docking concluded by saying, “These federal dollars
provide us with a unique opportunity to address critical
campus maintenance needs which will in turn stimulate
the local economy and improve the student learning
environment. While it’s imperative that we allocate the
vast majority of these dollars to one-time maintenance
projects, we’re pleased that we also had the flexibility
to assist Kansas students with tuition cost mitigation
in this challenging economic environment. It’s clear to
me that the Regents would not have approved the proposed
tuition increases if stimulus dollars hadn’t been
available for the purpose of assisting students. Without
a doubt, tuition costs would have been higher had it not
been for these important federal dollars. This
invaluable federal assistance is directly helping
Kansans by keeping higher education more affordable.” |
| |
 |
| |
About Kansas Citizens For Higher Education |
| |
Thank you for visiting Citizens
for Higher Education.
Public education is under attack nationwide as state
budgets are strained to the breaking point. Nowhere
is this crisis more evident than in Kansas.
That’s why Citizens for Higher Education is fighting
back. |
|
| |
 |
Kansas ranks in the Top 10 of states sending its young people
to college, but we are near the bottom of the
Big 12 in terms of per student state
funding. |
|
|
|
|
State funding for higher education, adjusted for inflation,
keeps falling while enrollment today is higher
than it has ever been. |
|
|
|
|
Average salaries for Kansas higher ed teachers and professors
are average or below Big 12 standards, making
our best and brightest educators ripe for the
picking by rival states? |
|
|
| |
Kansans have always placed a high priority on quality
education. That’s why these, and other facts are
so troubling. CHE appreciates the fiscal challenges our state
government faces, but we also believe it is time for Kansas to
take a leadership role.
Please take time to review our
website, then get involved. Register with CHE online. There
are a number of ways you can help us preserve and improve the
quality of higher education in Kansas. Thank you for your
time and support. |
|
|
|
|
 |
| Ross Beach
|
| Gene Bicknell |
| Jeff Crippen |
| John C Dicus |
| William Docking |
| Terrence P Dunn |
| James R Grier, III |
| Bill Hall |
| Kenneth Havner |
| Drue Jennings |
| Jim Lowther |
| Honorable Cordell Meeks |
| Fred Merrill |
| Joe C Morris |
| Bill E Musgrave |
| Robert D Regnier |
| E S Riss |
| Honorable Richard Rogers |
| Julie Davis Richey |
| John T Stewart |
| Bill Taylor |
| Robert Taylor |
| Kurt D Watson |
|
