Hearing to allow student input on tuition raise
Students can learn more about Tier II Tuition increases during a universitywide hearing Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the Taggart Student Center Ballroom.
“It’s the one time students can have input before this proposal goes to the [State Board of Regents],” said Celestial Bybee, president of the Associated Students of Utah State University.
President Kermit L. Hall proposed a 5 percent USU tuition increase in addition to the 4.5 percent statewide, higher-education increase proposal by the regents.
ASUSU has heard and endorsed the proposal, Bybee said. The Executive Council wrote a resolution supporting the second-tier tuition increase as reflective of student needs.
“Now the president is bringing it forward for students at large to hear,” she said.
The Legislature mandates that all university presidents hold a public hearing when considering Tier II Tuition increases. What Bybee calls the most important meeting to attend all year is an opportunity for students to ask questions. If students are upset about the increase, they should attend the hearing to find out the reasoning behind it.
It’s important for students to see the effects of money that stays at USU, instead of money that gets spread around the state, like that from Tier I increases, Bybee said. Plus, it can’t hurt to partake of the free Aggie Ice Cream that will be available at the hearing.
Education issues that will be addressed using Tier II Tuition increases are bottleneck courses, enhanced supplemental instruction, decreased student-teacher ratio and advanced QUAD technology. The increases will also aid in keeping the library alive and eliminating the use of social security numbers, Bybee said.
Part of last year’s second-tier tuition raise went toward the creation of the new Student Fitness Center in the Fieldhouse. Bybee said she challenges students to run on the treadmills there and know USU tuition increases pay off.
–amarie@cc.usu.edu