University students will receive refunds for some of the increased Student Energy Surcharges they paid before the spring semester.
Because of decreasing gas prices, Student Government announced Tuesday that students will be refunded $3.25 for each credit hour for which they are registered.
The University increased the surcharges from $4 to $14 per credit hour on Nov. 22, 2005, to compensate for increasing natural gas prices.
The University had estimated prices would average about $10.50 per million British thermal units of natural gas for the remainder of the fiscal year.
MBTUs measure heat energy in fuels. One MBTU is equivalent to about 1,000 cubic feet of natural gas.
Because the University has obtained enough natural gas to last until June 30 and prices have decreased over the last three months, the average price per MBTU has dropped to $8.
Jerry Baudin, vice chancellor of finance and administrative services, said he began communicating with former SG President and Vice President Michelle Gieg and Patrick Downs about the refunds in March.
“When [President Chris Odinet and Vice President Christen Heaton] got elected, I brought them in at the amount we were, and they were anxious to help us,” Baudin said.
Baudin said the total refunds the University is authorized to give is more than $1 million.
“We thought giving it back to the students would be the best option,” Odinet said.
Baudin said estimates for the fall 2006 energy surcharge based on current gas price projections are $6 to $7 per credit hour.
“But anything can happen overseas – or even another hurricane,” he said. “We’re just anticipating everything being status quo.”
Odinet said students can either get their refunds in cash from the Bursar’s Office in Thomas Boyd Hall, or they will receive credit to their accounts within the week.
 
Contact Parker Wishik at [email protected]