Before Saint Louis University students delve into their Christmas shopping, they may want to remember that another tuition increase has been proposed for the 2001-2002 academic year.
Although the 2001-2002 budget has not yet been finalized, a tuition increase has been included in the budget and will likely be implemented.
Despite shrinking increases over the last three years, tuition continues to rise at rates higher than the national average. The increases in tuition for the 1997-1998, 1998-1999, 1999-2000, and 2000-2001 school years were 7.5, 7.8, 7.0, and 6.8 percents respectively.
Last year’s 6.8 percent increase raised undergraduate tuition from $17,230 to $18,400. A four percent increase in room and board raised rates for on-campus living.
The College Board’s Trends in College Pricing Report shows that the average increase for four-year private institutions was 4.6 percent in 1999, placing SLU 2.4 percent above the average.
Sophomore Nora Berletich said she would be upset with another increase. “I baby-sit three to five days a week and tutor three days a week. Sometimes I have to work twice a day,” said Berletich. “I’d have to take out more loans.”
The President’s Coordinating Council submitted a tentative budget to University President Lawrence Biondi, S.J., who approved it to be sent to the Board of Trustees. The Board will either approve or reject the plan at a meeting on December 9.
“Obviously our expenses go up every year,” said Vice President of Business and Finance Rob Altholz. “The important thing to remember is that most of our revenue goes directly to support the academic requirements of the University.”
