Regents OK fee increases at Southeast

Fees are rising at Southeast Missouri State University. Next year, students will pay more to live and eat on campus and for technology, books and opening week orientation.

Members of the board of regents approved Friday the increases, which are attributed to inflation and the fact many of the service fees were set years ago.

Dorm room rates were raised an average 4.2 percent and board 6 percent. Students will now pay an average $4,587 for room and $2,112 for board.

"These compensate for increased operational and maintenance costs," said Dr. Dennis Holt, vice president for enrollment management and student success.

The university's technology fee will be $10 more at $50 to accommodate for a second 24-hour computer lab to open with the school's newest residence hall being built by Houck Stadium.

First Step and Opening Week orientation programs were raised from $50 to $65, and textbook rental will now be $21 per course instead of $17.75. Still, university president Dr. Ken Dobbins said, most fees are below or in line with other comparable universities.

The move to increase fees came the same day regents approved a motion to proceed with budget cuts the same way it did in 2002. An estimated $342 million state budget shortfall is expected to impact everything from senior programs to education, and the university is anticipating the state to withhold funds this year.

Open forums will begin at the end of January, allowing employees and students to give suggestions on areas that could be trimmed. Bigger classes and fewer sections are most likely, although Dobbins said scholarships and certain academic programs could be on the chopping block.

Like in 2002, "everyone on campus will be involved" in the decisions, university spokeswoman Ann Hayes said.

At the Friday meeting, the board also approved an audit by BDK, which gave a clean opinion; approved the separation of the Department of Communication into the Department of Communication Studies and the Department of Mass Media; approved the university's strategic plan; reappointed Troy Vaughn to the Show Me Center Board of Managers and Dr. Jane Stephens to the River Campus Board of Managers; and approved a new sport management option to the university's Master of Business Administration program.

lbavolek@semissourian.com

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