University administrators confirmed earlier this week that they have eliminated a proposal that would have established a separate fee for upperclassmen.
The announcement comes just days before the Board of Visitors will meet to consider proposed financial changes for the coming 2013-14 year in its annual tuition and fees meeting.
“[This year] the University has developed a proposal that reflects a moderate base tuition increase, addresses different cost structures in Commerce and Engineering, [and] provides funds to meet the University’s share of state-authorized salary increases,” according to the proposal that will be considered by the Board Thursday.
Following Gov. Bob McDonnell’s call for more Virginia college graduates, in-state student costs are expected to remain low relative to other American higher education institutions.
Undergraduate in-state tuition is set to increase by 3.8 percent in the upcoming year, nearly $400 more than its current annual cost of $9,622 for full-time students.
Out-of-state tuition is expected to rise 4.8 percent, approximately $1,800, from its current cost of $34,952 in the upcoming year for full-time students.
The Board is also considering raising tuition in both the Commerce and Engineering schools. Third and fourth-year Virginian students enrolled in the Commerce School will experience a tuition increase of 9.1 percent, raising the cost to $17,458 a year, the last of three previously set augmentations, according to the proposal.
Out-of-state McIntire students will see a 6.7 percent increase in tuition, to total $44,844 for the coming year. Due to what the proposal called the “resource intensive nature of Engineering education,” the University also plans to raise tuition for all students in the Engineering school by $2,000 in the next four years.
In a meeting with student leaders Wednesday, University officials said the University would continue to try to keep tuition fees affordable for students.
“Our ultimate goal is to make sure that this university is affordable to anyone that can apply and we can continue to meet any demonstrated financial need,” said Melody Bianchetto, University assistant vice president for budget and financial planning.
University officials said the idea of upperclass fees is still being considered by the administration, though not for the immediate year. “The idea hasn’t been abandoned completely,” University budget manager Robbyn Minnis said.
University spokesperson McGregor McCance said in an email the University had no official comment on the proposed fees at this time, but would discuss the proposals in the Board of Visitors meeting set for Thursday. “We look forward to the discussion and consideration of this topic at the meeting,” McCance said.
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