Students face 15 percent hike in tuition

Empowered by the Florida Legislature and driven by current economic woes, the FGCU Board of Trustees approved a tuition increase of 15 percent for the 2009-10 school year.

This brings tuition costs for in-state undergraduates to $4,642 per academic year based on a typical 15-credit-hour semester, compared to the national average of $6,585 at state universities. That is an increase of $589.

Out-of-state students will pay $19,901 for a two-semester year, an increase of $3,330. Ciara Winslow, a sophomore majoring in psychology and political science, thinks the tuition increases are needed in Florida.

"In the real world, you get what you pay for. Tuition increases will help support universities like FGCU get better professors and funding," Winslow said. The university is facing some challenges because of the state budget cuts to higher education.

At FGCU, building construction projects have come to a halt and degree programs that were scheduled to begin have been delayed because of a lack of funds. For instance, the health sciences building estimated to cost $25 million is on hold, as is certification of the engineering program.

A total of $6.9 billion in state funding was cut from the higher-education budget. Universities across the state have had turn to their students to help close the financial gap.

Originally, state legislators were planning on reducing the budget by 25 percent, but representatives for the university system were able to decrease that amount to 11 percent, according to Jennifer Goen, director of government relations.

Joe Shepard, vice president of finance, presented the budget to the board. He explained the university had used $3.2 million of the university's reserves to cover payroll expenses.

Shepard said the university has tried to cut back in other areas to minimize the hit to its reserves.

For example, the university will be raising thermostats about five degrees to save money on utilities.

"Yes, it will get a little warmer," Shepard said.

The federal government will be assisting universities with stimulus package funds. FGCU is expected to receive up to $3.5 million, which will help keep the university out of the red in the 2010-11 school year, according to Shepard's budget report. Right now, Shepard projects a $1.3 million deficit in this upcoming academic year.

The money from Washington, D.C., is only a temporary fix for a larger financial problem.

"Before we get all giddy, keep in mind that this is non-recurring," Shepard said, meaning the stimulus money is a one-time boost.

Shepard explained the tuition increases are required to avoid damaging the quality of education and life offered at the university.

Although some suggest freezing enrollment is the solution, Shepard disagrees.

"If we freeze enrollment, we would have a negative trend with the budget," he said. Isaac Roman, student body president, voted in favor of the tuition increase. He is the student representative on the Board of Trustees.

Roman said he understands the call for tuition increases, and his goal is to ensure the hikes are being used to best serve student needs.

"Education is an investment, and at this point in time this investment is necessary … to continue the upkeep of the quality of our university," Roman said.

Shepard also indicated this year's 15 percent tuition increase is likely to be repeated for the next five years until FGCU reaches the national tuition average.