Executive Committee of Syracuse University’s Board of Trustees approves 2002-03 fiscal year budget proposal

Executive Committee of Syracuse University’s Board of Trustees approves 2002-03 fiscal year budget proposalFebruary 01, 2002Kelly Homan Rodoskikahoman@syr.edu

Tuition increase of 6 percent, increase in the student health fee and the establishment of a co-curricular fee are part of the proposal package

The Executive Committee of Syracuse University’s Board of Trustees today approved a 2002-03 fiscal year budget proposal that calls for a 6 percent tuition increase; an increase in the student health fee to address a student need for additional clinical counseling staff; and the establishment of a co-curricular fee to enhance students’ out-of-class experience.

The proposal will now be forwarded to all members of the Board and will be voted on at the full Board’s next meeting in May.

“The budget committee of the Board of Trustees has carefully followed the development of next year’s budget,” says John A. Couri, chair of the Board of Trustees Budget Committee. “We fully endorse the initiatives contained in this budget. Were it not for increased tuition and fees, the added funding for the library and other important initiatives would not be possible.”

“Most universities in the U.S. are faced with budget challenges,” says Joseph Lampe, chairman of the Board of Trustees. “The increase in tuition that we have approved will go for normal operating expenses. We feel it is very important to provide certain things. The cost of health care for employees has risen; salaries have to be modestly increased each year. The tuition increase was necessary in order to maintain the quality of education that makes Syracuse University distinctive.”

Under the proposed budget, tuition for 2002-03 would be $22,800 for an undergraduate student, $27,500 for a law student, and $686 per credit hour for a graduate student-all are a 6 percent increase from FY 2001-02. A part-time undergraduate student attending through University College would pay $413 per credit hour (a 5.9 percent increase).

A student’s room fee would increase by an average of 4 percent; a split double in a North Campus residence hall, the most popular plan of several living choices, would be $4,990 per year. The board fee would increase by an average of 4.5 percent; a 19-meal plan (19 meals per week in the dining halls plus a base $125 per semester SUpercard allotment) would be $4,520.

The budget also calls for a 13.4 percent increase in the mandatory student health fee-from $344 to $390-to cover immediate needs for additional mental health counseling (9.3 percent) and normal increases in SU Health Services’ operating costs (4.1 percent).

The co-curricular fee is intended to address the chronic under-funding of student life initiatives. In the proposed budget, full-time undergraduate students would be assessed an annual fee not to exceed $120 complementing the student activity fee administered by the Student Association. The fee would provide the Division of Student Affairs with an estimated $1.28 million that could be used to fund a variety of initiatives. Examples include the establishment of an Arts Adventure declining balance account for all fee-paying students to replace the current $50 fee paid only by first-year students; the establishment of an Office of Off Campus Student Services; financial support for the 37 club sport activities recognized through the Department of Recreation Services; expansion of the current Outdoor Education Program offered by Recreation Services, including new workshops and adventure trips; and the development of a leadership training curriculum to identify and cultivate emerging student leaders.

An advisory committee led by Barry L. Wells, senior vice president and dean of student affairs, will begin investigating the possibilities shortly. The committee will make recommendations to Wells, who will make decisions on what will be funded by April 1.

“The co-curricular fee will enable us to move forward with a number of initiatives that will improve the campus environment,” says Chancellor Kenneth A. Shaw. “Senior Vice President and Dean Wells’ advisory committee will be especially helpful to him as he finalizes initiatives for the next academic year.”

“We’ve listened to students at open forums and via campus surveys and we’ve taken to heart what they have told us: there is a real need for more social, cultural, and recreational activities,” says Wells. “There is a demand for dedicated off campus student services. Enhanced campus security and crime prevention programs are absolutely necessary. The co-curricular fee will allow us to address these important issues and also fund other initiatives that translate into a better quality of life and more enriching educational experiences for our students. That is good news.”