Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Tuition had to go up, says university administration S. C. government cut university budget by $60 million BY BRAD SENKIW THE GAMECOCK On June 26, USC voted to ac cept the 2003 to 2004 budget — an increase of $362 for resident stu dents and $971 for non-residents. The technology fee was the only increase over the entire univer sity but some individual fees, like lab fees, have been raised as well. The reason for the mounting tu ition is because of less appropri ated money from the state budget, Vice President of Finance Richard Kelly said. While it’s not a surprise that USC tuition jumped 15 percent, the real shock might be that the uni versity has taken such a hit that increases were the only way to make up for the shortfall. “Going into this year, our state appropriations for the university system had been cut over $60 mil lion,” Kelly said. “The Columbia campus had experienced a $43.5 million reduction.” rveuy saiu uiai in uie iwu previ ous years that he’s been with USC, the leading source of funding was the state appropriations, which have dropped from 38 percent to less than 25 percent. Now the uni versity has to rely on tuition as a major source of revenue, which has gone up from 24 percent two years ago to 28 to 29 percent this year. “Every unit has helped to ab sorb these cuts we’ve experi enced,” Kelly said. “Tuition has only played a portion of recover ing the monies that we’ve lost.” With funds being so scarce, these colleges have been forced to delay the arrival of equipment, cut needed staff and cancel trips. Kelly said raising tuition has.been the only way to maintain the quality of USC’s facilities and teachers. And while Kelly said these qual ities have a “price associated with them,” the university is draining money from every source avail “If we have another 5 to 7 percent cut this year, we are going to be down to really asking some things about what is core, what is the central missiotrof this university - and that is to have students in the classroom and teach.” JERRY ODOM use PROVOST able and using sponsored research programs to generate funds. According to USC Provost Jerry Odom, the issue of budgets and tuition increases force the university to make tough deci sions. “When you cross the path that we have,” he said, “where now student tuition and fees furnish more of our budget than the state, you’re in a place where you need to be incredibly careful and you have to ask hard questions.” Kelly also said that the quality of the university as a whole has gone up since tuition has gone up and it hasn’t deterred the influx of students, both in and out-of-state. Enrollment continues to rise be cause the university can continue to hold so many students and the quality of USC as a whole has risen greatly over the last several years. He thinks the tuition increase is something everyone in the state is dealing with. “By comparison to our peer in stitutions in this state, the University of Soi0i Carolina’s tu ition increase was certainly below most and in line with the few that were in the lower end of the in creases,” Kelly said. With the State Assembly work ing out a way to fix the overall state budget and increasing lottery scholarship money, Kelly said in creases are becoming a trend that might affect students down the road. “I think it will continue,” Kelly said. “I think we’ve already been put on notice that we’re facing an other cut this year.” Students are taking heed that continuing cuts mean more mon ey out of their pockets. Christina Davis, a first-year math and sec ondary education student, said she works in the Political Science de partment and has been “breaking the news to a bunch of students. They’re pretty .upset.” If the threat continues, Odom thinks the university’s main goals are at risk. “If we have another 5 to 7 per cent cut this year, we are going to be down to really asking some things about what is core, what is the central mission of this uni versity — and that is to have stu dents in the classroom and teach.” Monica Mircea, a second-year undecided student, understands the need to make up for lost funds. “It’s reasonable with all the budget cuts,” she said. “But at the same time, if it goes up any higher it’s very expensive.” Comments on this story?E-mail gamecockudesk@hotmail.com PERCENT INCREASE IN TUITION use CLEMSON, COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON AND UGA Both College of Charleston and Clemson have reacted to S.C. budget cuts by raising tuition. UGA, by comparison, did not experience the cuts and so it did not raise its tuition as much. Bracketing CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 have shown concern about the new policy. “College is about having the freedom to explore different in terests, and being limited to ‘what is required’ for fear of cost ing your parents too much mon ey is counterintuitive to the col lege experience,” said Honors College student Julie Cook, who is double majoring in art history and political science. The University of Alabama, l where Sorensen served as presi dent for six years, charges a flat tuition for all full-time students. Judith Kalb, director of the Russian program and a member of the Rhodes Scholarship com mittee, said she understands the abuse problem but she is con cerned about competitive stu dents looking to get into gradu ate school or win national awards. “You want to cut down on the abuse but at the same time you don’t want to hurt the students who will be bringing good things to the university,” said Kalb. Kalb proposed a system for high-achieving students to peti tion for tuition relief after If hours. “If the students can prove they need to take those hours,” Kail said, “perhaps there could be some sort of way to provide fund ing for students to meet the goals they had laid out in a proposal.” Comments on this story?E-mail | — BIRKENSTOCK Record Shoppe NEW & USED RECORDS, TAPES, CD's, & DVD's Most Used CD's $4 to $8 Over 30,000 Vinyl LP's In Stock!! • Jazz * Bluegrass • Classical • Rock * Blues • Almost • Soul 0 Reggae Anything www.papajazz.com 5 POINTS 2014 CREENE ST. Mon-Sat 10am-7 pm Sun 1pm-6pm i-1-U 4 • ms “BWOL'j f E,s.h.,*h*d r255 natagonia i Gadsdenst. j. 5>; I II H Huger Street % 1215 Wayne St (in the Vista) I $1 A.00 off I | J.U COUPON ! 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