BU Trustees OK student fees for 2008-09
BU's Council of Trustees approved student fees for the 2008-09 academic year during the Wednesday, Feb. 27, quarterly meeting.
For 2008-09, room and board rates will increase by a combined average of 4.45 percent, an average increase of $124 per semester, to cover increased expenses, including salaries and benefits, rising food costs and upgraded services, such as card-access entry to individual residence hall rooms. Preston Herring, vice president for university and student affairs, said he expects BU's fees to remain among the lowest of the 14 Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) universities.
The Trustees also approved an increase in the health center fee, from $57 to $62 per semester. The fee has increased just two times in the past 15 years and has remained unchanged since 2003, Herring said. Other fees approved by the Trustees will remain at the 2007-08 level. Tuition is set each July by PASSHE's Board of Governors.
As part of his report, BU President David L. Soltz told the Trustees that he's spent his first seven weeks at BU meeting and talking with students, faculty and staff; business and community leaders; and local residents. He recognized James Matta, assistant vice president and dean of graduate studies and research, who plans to retire in May.
The Council of Trustees presented student trustee James D'Amico with a resolution Wednesday thanking him for his service. Shown from left are president David Soltz, D'Amico, and trustee Nick Housenick.
Also during the meeting, the Trustees:
- Presented a resolution to student Trustee James D'Amico, an elementary education major from Mount Carmel who plans to graduate in May. D'Amico has served as the student Trustee for the past year.
- Named Trustees Ramona Alley, LaRoy Davis and Bill Kelly to a nominating committee. At the Trustees June 4 meeting, the committee will present a slate of Trustees officers for 2008 to 2010.
- Approved adding three BU projects to the PASSHE's capital project request list - an addition to Sutliff Hall and renovations to Waller Administration Building and McCormick Center for Human Services. Each of the PASSHE universities forwards a prioritized list each year to be incorporated into a System-wide, five-year capital funding plan.