May 13, 2004

SIU Trustees consider fee requests for fall 2005

by Sue Davis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southern Illinois University Trustees heard a first reading of proposed student fee increases that would take effect fall semester 2005 during their regular meeting today (May 13) in Carbondale.

SIUC has long had a policy of setting fees and tuition rates early to allow students and families to plan for college costs. The fee increase proposals will be considered for action at the Board's June meeting in Alton on the campus of SIU Edwardsville's Dental School.

Under the proposed plan, seven of the University's 11 fees would increase in fiscal year 2006. Students would pay a combined total of $62.50 more than in fiscal year 2005 during the academic year for health services, recreational facilities, the Saluki Express bus service and intercollegiate athletics. SIUC's costs would still fall below its peers in Illinois with the changes.

If Trustees approve the plan, beginning fall semester 2005, undergraduates would pay:

  • $20 more for the athletics fee;

  • $12 more for the Student Medical Benefit Primary Care fee;

  • $12 more for the Student Center fee;

  • $12 more for the Student Recreation Center fee;

  • $3 more for the Campus Recreation fee;

  • $1.50 more for the Student Activity fee and

  • $2 more for the Mass Transit fee.

In addition, the board reviewed raising a course-specific fee for Geology 454 at SIUC from $100 to $250 effective next summer. The course is a six-week summer field course that takes students to Montana and Wyoming. The extra $100 would help cover increased travel costs associated with leasing, fueling and maintaining the vans used to transport students as they learn about geological formations first hand.

Action on the proposal is also expected in June.