Minutes of a Regular Meeting, June 22-23, 2004 - Digital Collections

June 22-23, 2004 29149tuition rates and mandatory fees (fees for items not covered by tuition and which all, orsubstantially all, students must pay as a condition of enrollment at the institution). At thecomprehensive universities the combined average of the resident tuition and mandatory fees, asdetermined by the State Regents, shall remain less than the combined average of the residenttuition and fees at state-supported institutions of higher education that are members of the BigTwelve Conference. The rates are to remain less than the combined average of tuition and feesfor like-type graduate and professional courses and programs of comparable quality and standingat state-supported institutions of higher education as determined by the State Regents.In its deliberation on the establishment of resident tuition rates for undergraduate andgraduate education, the State Regents shall balance the affordability of public higher educationwith the provision of available, diverse and high-quality opportunities giving consideration to thelevel of state appropriations, the state economy, the per capita income and cost of living, thecollege-going and college-retention rates, and the availability of financial aid in Oklahoma. Forany increase in the tuition rates, the State Regents shall demonstrate a reasonable effort to effecta proportionate increase in the availability of need-based student financial aid.The University of Oklahoma is requesting the Tuition and Mandatory Fees Rateslisted above, which reflect bringing lower division rates up to upper division rates, then a 6%increase for resident tuition and 9% increase for nonresident tuition. The increase in averageannual resident tuition and mandatory fees for current resident undergraduates is $399.00.This recommendation comes after consultation with students. During the Springsemester, President Boren notified the student body about the need for tuition and fee increases,through a full-page Open Letter published in the Oklahoma Daily. President Boren followed theprinted notice with an Open Meeting in which all students were invited. He and other Campusadministrators continued consultation with key student leaders after the end of the Springsemester.Even with these recommended increases, The University of Oklahoma expects toremain near the bottom of the BIG 12 in total direct costs for undergraduate attendance. TheUniversity has increased need-based tuition waivers by the same percentage increase as thetuition increase.Additionally, the Sooner Heritage Scholarship Program will continue into its secondyear. This program, partially funded by private gifts from OU alumni, targets students fromfamilies with $30,000-$75,000 in annual income. President Boren has publicized thisopportunity in the Open Letter, the Open Meeting and press releases. Financial Aid Servicesdeveloped a simple online application process, and helped publicize the availability of thisscholarship opportunity through flyers and web links. The deadline was June 1, and more than1,500 applications were received.Once approved by the Board of Regents, the tuition requests will be forwarded to theOklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for approval, and will be effective Fall 2004.President Boren recommended the Board of Regents approve the proposed tuition,mandatory fees, and prospective student fee rates for FY 2005.UNDERGRADUATE TUITION RATES(Nonresident students pay both resident and nonresident tuition)Proposed FY05Resident TuitionPer Credit HourAverage Annual UndergraduateTuition and Mandatory Fees30 credit hours/2 semesters