As the SIU Board of Trustees slapped the university on the wrist Thursday for an inflated tuition proposal, it gave the university’s student fees a pass — but with a watchful eye.
The board noticed 13 proposed student fee increases that would force SIUC students to pay $282 more in fees per year. Ultimately, students would pay $3,120 year, nearly triple the amount a student paid in fees in 2000.
The board now has a little more than a month to review the proposals and vote on them during the board’s May 7 meeting in Carbondale.
Keith Sanders, chairman of the board’s finance committee, warned leaders of each campus, which proposed a total of 25 fee increases, that the board would carefully look over each fee and its purpose to make sure they were efficient in spending.
“We will be looking over these very carefully from now until our next meeting and want to be very careful that we retain the enviable affordability of SIU,” Sanders said.
The 13 proposed increases by SIUC range from intercollegiate athletics to medical expenses to student attorney fees.
Among the highest fee raises includes both the extended and primary medical fees, which could see $41 and $30 jumps respectively.
The extended and primary medical fees fund comprehensive Student Health Program that includes emergency service and hospitalization; specialty, primary and emergency dental care; and prevention programs.
The board also considered a “green” fee for the first time in SIUC history.
The fee, which would cost $10, has been years in the making and has garnered significant student support. According to university records, the fee would provide a regular source of funding for on-campus renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainability projects and research.
SIU President Glenn Poshard said a green fee is not only environmentally friendly, but also a fee that could attract students.
“We think that this is more attractive to student in the future,” Poshard said. “So many student are now keying in on this as a major issue so it is to our advantage and it is something that we feel good about — to create a greener campus.”
Jon Dyer, co-coordinator for Project Eco-Dawgs, said the group surveyed 15,000 high school students about their interest in a greener campus. He said 24 percent of respondents said a green fee like the one proposed would have a significant impact on their college of choice.
“It’s a big issue that is rising among young people,” Dyer said. “It’s inspired a campus and its students.
SIUC Chancellor Sam Goldman said the fee would also blend well with the university’s curriculum.
“We have several academic programs that focus on the environment, so this fee will fit very nicely within our program,” he said.
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