April 10, 2008

Board of Trustees approves fee increases

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill. — The Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees, meeting in Edwardsville, today (April 10) approved several fee increases for the Carbondale campus that will further enhance services for students.

Included in the fee adjustments are increases in Student Center, Saluki Express mass transit, student services building, student recreation and intercollegiate athletics fees.

The following per semester fees begin with the fall 2008 semester:

  • Student Services Building Fee — $60, up $20, prorated over 12 credit hours for the fall, spring and summer academic sessions, respectively.

The increase covers debt service costs for a Student Services Building housing enrollment-related services and a new welcome center. The University's enrollment functions, including undergraduate admissions, records and registrations, financial aid and scholarships, and the Bursar's office, and possibly several other student service functions, will locate there. The new facility would be located in close proximity to the Student Center, site of most of the pre-enrollment programs planned by Admissions and New Student Programs. Renovations are planned for Woody Hall, originally designed as a residence hall. The project is in the early planning and design phase, which should be complete by April 2009.

  • Intercollegiate Athletic Fee — $275, a $54 increase, prorated over 12 credit hours for the fall, spring and summer academic sessions respectively.

Ten dollars of the increase augments the athletic department's operating budget, with the remaining $44 targeted to improvements and renovations to athletic facilities.

  • Campus Recreation Fee — $6.60, a 60-cent increase, prorated over 12 credits for the fall, spring and summer academic sessions, respectively.

The campus recreation fee supports programs and 22 facilities outside of the Student Recreation Center, including 18 lighted tennis courts, a roller hockey complex, skateboard park, 10-acre lighted multi-sport complex, 30-acre sport club/multi-activity facility, Lake-on-the-Campus Beach, and boat dock facilities. The proposal supports growth from 30 to 46 sport clubs, representing 1,800 active students.

  • Student Medical Benefit Fee — (fall and spring semesters) $181, a $10 increase; (summer semester) $108.60, a $6 increase.

The increases provide continuation of on-campus health services and Student Health Center operations.

  • Student Recreation Fee — $120, a $6 increase, prorated over 12 credits for the fall, spring and summer academic sessions, respectively.

The increase offsets continuing increases in student minimum wage, insurance costs and salaries, and allows continuing high levels of student and community use of the Student Recreation Center.

  • Student Center Fee — $119, a $4 increase, prorated over 12 credit hours for the fall, spring and summer academic sessions, respectively.

The increase will be used to reduce deferred maintenance on the Student Center, fund debt repayment of the bowling and billiards area renovation and roof replacement, and offset inflationary operating cost increases. Planned building projects for the upcoming fiscal year include replacing kitchen equipment, third-floor ceiling and light replacement, HVAC mechanical renovations, first-floor bathroom renovations, Information Station renovation and relocation, and John W. Corker Lounge renovation.

  • Mass Transit Fee — $47, a $1 increase, prorated over 12 credit hours for the fall, spring and summer academic sessions, respectively.

The increase offsets the impact of fuel costs and the bus service contract. Use of Saluki Express continues to be strong and meets the needs of many students traveling to and from campus and the Carbondale shopping areas. The bus route extends to John A. Logan College in Carterville.