Issue date: 11/12/09 Section: Campus News

Media Credit: Leslie Ballantine Student Body President Michael Umhoefer (right) and Student Senate Chief of Staff Adam Sorelle answer questions about the Blugold Commitment at a Monday press conference in the Alumni Room of Davies.

Chancellor Brian Levin-Stankevich announced Monday that differential tuition will likely increase by $1,500 per student over the next four years, under the Blugold Commitment.

If approved by the Student Senate in December and the Board of Regents in February, the proposal would take effect incrementally, with an increase of $375 starting in the fall of 2010 to reach $1,500 in 2013.

Fifty percent of that money would hire 50 more faculty and staff members, 40 percent would provide financial aid, and 10 percent would support academic immersion programs.

Levin-Stankevich said presenting to the Board of Regents in February wouldn't allow enough time to hire more than a couple of new faculty for next year. It would, however, allow the increased costs to be factored into financial aid. The increase of differential tuition could quickly produce results, he said.

"Initially, I think you would see the elimination of some bottlenecks, and with course availability, issues being remedied," he said. "You'd see a more rapid and permanent change in the general education requirements as we free up faculty to work on those sorts of curricular things."

Both immediately and later, the Blugold Commitment aims to reform advising, First Year Experience courses and general education requirements while providing more research opportunities and "cross-cultural" experiences, Levin-Stankevich said.

The proposal is not without controversy, though, and some senators plan to launch a "vote no" campaign, including senior Sen. Armon Tabrizi.

Tabrizi said he approves of the commitment's goals but thinks the increase is too high and shouldn't fall under differential tuition.

"The administration is trying to use differential tuition to provide education," Tabrizi said. "It is meant to enhance education, not provide it."

Continued...

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