Shepherd U. proposes no tuition increase for in-state students

April 26, 2010

By Ric Dugan, Staff Photographer

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. -- Shepherd University has proposed no tuition increase for in-state students and a $236 increase per semester for out-of-state students for the 2010-11 academic year.

The tuition proposal acts on the option provided to President Suzanne Shipley by Shepherd's Board of Governors regarding the establishment of next year's tuition rates.

At the board's April 8 meeting, increases of 3.7 percent for in-state students and 4 percent for out-of-state students were approved, but the board provided Shipley the latitude to adjust the figures downward.

"We have listened to what our students, prospective students and their families have requested -- that Shepherd find a way to limit tuition increases yet still maintain its instructional quality," Shipley said in a news release.

"We are doing this by implementing a series of cost-efficiency measures in other operational areas," she said.

The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission must finalize tuition recommendations at its upcoming meeting.

The out-of-state increase of 3.5 percent keeps up with inflationary rates established by the Higher Education Price Index (HEPI).

Gov. Joe Manchin requested in his "State of the State" address in February and in subsequent conversations that university presidents hold the line on tuition rates for 2010-11.

Shepherd University receives 20 percent of its operational budget from the state of West Virginia. Student tuition funds 30 percent of its budget, while the remaining 50 percent comes from auxiliary enterprises (29 percent), federal and state grants and contracts (16 percent), and gifts and other revenue (5 percent).

Earlier this month, the board of governors approved increases in residence hall rates of 8 percent for traditional residence hall rooms ($156 increase to $2,101 per semester) and suite-style rooms ($179 increase to $2,418), and a 1 percent increase for apartment-style residence halls ($27 increase to $2,758).

The increases in housing fees will help meet increased operational costs and planned capital projects, including replacing a heating boiler and upgrading doors to keyless locks.

A 4.35 percent average rate increase for traditional meal plans also was approved, raising the basic 19-meal plan to $1,918 per semester.

|

|

|