In the shadow of state budget cuts and with the prospect of $20 million in additional cuts in University funding, the Board of Visitors will meet Friday to discuss a proposal for a possible mid-year tuition increase for all University students.
The proposal would raise University tuition by $200 for the spring semester for both in-state and out-of-state students.
William H. Goodwin Jr., the chairman of the Board's finance committee, said he did not think the proposal was unfair.
"We are in very difficult times," he said. "I think the $200 is a reasonable figure, as long as students who have hardships" receive the necessary financial aid.
Goodwin said that, if they voted on the tuition raise, he suspected it would pass.
Board Secretary Alexander "Sandy" Gilliam Jr. said the Board has not yet officially addressed the topic.
"There has been no formal talk about [the tuition increase] thus far," Gilliam said. Gilliam also said he knows of no Board members who have taken an official position on the proposal.
T. Keister Greer, chairman of the Board's educational policy committee, said he had not yet decided how he would vote on a possible tuition increase.
"I would have to hear both sides of the argument before I could make a decision," he said.
Colette Sheehy, vice president for management and budget, explained that if the Board passes a tuition increase, the University would raise about $3.4 million that would alleviate present funding inadequacies. The money would help the University cope with recent reductions in University housekeeping, library and printing services.
Sheehy went on to say that if the resolution passes, the University is prepared to help students who will need financial assistance as a result of the mid-year increase.
"Pell Grant recipients will receive an extra $200 tacked onto their award," she said. When asked what would be done for students not receiving Pell grants, Sheehy said no definitive conclusions have been reached as of yet.
Greer explained that the Board has "the authority to raise tuition directly ourselves, as well as to permit the administration to raise it," though Sheehy said the Board would simply be acting as a proxy, giving the administration authorization to raise tuition costs.
The question of proxy "is more of an implication issue," Goodwin said. He added that the Board would probably raise the tuition itself.
"If we're going to raise tuition, we'll take the heat," he said.
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