Officials at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor announced an 11 percent hike in the cost of tuition to take place during its 2008 summer and fall semesters.
The cost per credit hour will rise from $525 to $580, said Dr. Steve Theodore, vice president of student affairs at the university.
Theodore said that’s the base rate.
“We have some other fees,” he said.
“Mandatory fees include a $50 general services fee per credit hour to pay for student activities,” Theodore said. “The technology fee is $15 per credit hour.”
Theodore said when the fees are added to the base rate, the total cost of tuition for the current semester totals $590 per credit hour.
When the fees are added to the new base rate, the total will come to $655 per credit hour, he said.
Theodore said there are two major areas where the increases are going.
“The first is salaries and benefits,” Theodore said. “We are a service industry so people is where we put our money.”
Theodore said salaries, new positions, raises and benefits such as health care and retirement make up part of the increased cost.
“The second is financial aid,” Theodore said. “We have made a significant increase in our financial base for need-based and merit-based academic scholarships.”
Theodore said a third component is a policy at UMHB to keep classes small for quality instruction.
“Right now the student to faculty ratio is 17:1,” he said. “Which is small - but that’s an average. It doesn’t mean every class has 17 students. Some have less, some have more.”
Theodore said keeping small classes is expensive. It means having to hire enough faculty with its associated cost of salaries and benefits.
Theodore said energy increases have added to operating costs of the physical plant.
“We are adding the Myers Christian Studies Building to our physical plant,” he said. “We have to heat and cool it and that will add to our cost.”
He said the building would add about 20,000 square feet of heated and air-conditioned space to the existing facilities, which total 815,000 square feet.
“What we are seeing happening in our economy is something we are not exempt from,” Theodore said. “Nobody is.”
Carol Woodward, director of marketing and public relations, said the new rate with the fees based on a 14-hour class schedule would come to $9,220 per semester for a student commuting to class and not paying for room and board on campus.
At Baylor University in Waco, a comparable 10 percent hike begins with the 2008 summer session.
Pam Crow, head cashier for Baylor, said the base rate for 12 credit hours or more during the spring semester for a commuting student is $11,110. Adding the general student service fee brings the total for a commuter to $12,245.
Ms. Crow said for the 2008 summer and fall semester, the base rate for 12 credit hours or more for a commuter will be $11,382. Adding the general student service fee brings that total to $13,042.
State schools
An 11.25 percent tuition and fee hike is contemplated at state-funded Tarleton State University-Central Texas in Killeen.
Students were given a handout in January at an annual tuition fee hearing outlining a proposed increase from $80 per credit hour to $89 per credit hour, said Kimberly Lee, public relations and marketing manager for the university.
“We hold a fee hearing every year to provide information to students and to seek feedback from the students,” Ms. Lee said. “These proposed increases will have to be approved by the Texas A&M University board of regents before they would take effect.”
Also proposed is a cost increase of six mandatory fees from $459 to $606.
If the changes are approved, a 12 credit hour semester would increase from $1,419 to $1,674.
The two-year institutions offering associate degrees in Bell County are Temple College and Central Texas College.
Temple College charges $70 per credit hour to students living in the district. A 12-credit hour semester comes to $840.
Fees are based on the course of study and vary widely.
Central Texas College (CTC) has one of the lowest costs per credit hour in Texas, campus spokeswoman Barbara Murlo said.
Currently, a student living in the district pays $40 per credit hour, which may be reduced to $36 this summer and fall.
Ms. Murlo said in addition to state funding, grants and ad valorem taxes, the college receives federal funds from the U.S. Army.
CTC provides an opportunity for associate degrees to servicemen worldwide through its distance learning programs.
Tarleton maintains articulation agreements with both Temple College and CTC for students who wish to finish a four-year degree, Ms. Lee said.
hclark@temple-telegram.com
