Student fees jump $322 in fall 2006

By Kelly Griffith
Senior Staff Writer

Students may feel the squeeze on their wallets next semester. The UNCP Board of Trustees approved an increase on Dec. 10, 2005 that would raise student tuition and fees by $322 for the 2006-07 school year.

SGA President Marko Gospojevic said the increase would be split into two categories:

Campus Initiated Tuition will increase by $180.

Photo courtesy of University Relations SGA President Marko Gospojevic.

Student Fees will increase by $142 for the following areas:

• Athletics - $16

• Technology - $26

• Student Activities - $20

• Band and Chorus - $2.02

• Drama - $2

• Student Newspaper - $8

• Lyceum - $3.64

• Student Literary Magazine - $1.66

• Intramurals - $2.68

Special Banner Fee

According to Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Dr. Diane Jones, students will also pay a special fee of $80 for the student record database called Banner.

This fee will be covered under the student fees increase. Jones said the state of North Carolina has suggested that UNCP switch to Banner.

"We have no choice, but to change," Jones said. "This is really going to pay for the technology of it."

Gospojevic said he was excited that the Board of Trustees was able to keep the increase to a minimum.

"I actually made a motion myself to pass this because I was so glad that they decided to cut down on the amount we will pay for Banner," Gospojevic said.

"It saved the students a whole lot of money."

Director of Financial Aid Bruce Blackmon said one-third of the total student fees will go to financial aid.

Board of Governors

The UNC Board of Governors used the 2004-05 Washington State Tuition and Fee Report, which released the latest three-year rolling percentage rate increases for colleges comparable to UNC schools, according to the 2006-07 tuition and fees increases guide on Nov. 11, 2005.

The BOG asked that in determining any tuition or fee raises, the universities in the system consult the report.

The report put UNCP in a bracket for a $322 increase along with Appalachian State University, Fayetteville State University, North Carolina Central University, the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and Western Carolina University.

The increase will be proposed to the BOG in February for final approval before being implemented.

The BOG froze UNC system resident undergraduate tuition increases for the 2005-06 school year. However, the BOG approved a $70 increase per semester on student fees that would finance uniforms for UNCP's upcoming football team, according to Gospojevic.