A proposal in the state legislature could raise the University Academic Excellence Fee by $120 per semester effective this fall, an increase not covered by TOPS.
According to documents from the Chancellor’s office, the current fee of $125 has generated $5.7 million in net revenue for the University and has brought in 72 faculty positions, including 17 tenure-track, 51 instructors and four professionals in residence.
In addition, the fee has allowed the University to offer graduate assistantships and approximately 260 class sections per year. Also, the University has used portions of the fee for initiatives such as tutors, counselors and classroom technical support.
The proposed fee increase would raise the Academic Excellence Fee to $245 and is expected to generate $6.3 million in net revenue. The funds would be used to bring in 30 new faculty members and generate a faculty pay raise.
Funds from the increase also would be used to continue graduate assistantships and undergraduate initiatives such as support for the Honors College, additional residential colleges and an expansion of the freshman orientation program.
Chancellor Mark Emmert said the increase has been passed by the state House of Representatives and Senate committees. The propsoal has not yet reached the floor of the Senate.
While TOPS will not cover the fee for Louisiana students, Emmert said financial aid could be provided to eligible students.
“The current version of the bill includes financial aid provisions that will support students with financial need,” Emmert said. “We are estimating that at least 15 percent of the funds coming from the fee would be used for financial aid.”
Emmert said while he dislikes raising student fees, the possible increase could be important.
“The Academic Excellence Fee could prove to be critical this year because just last night the Senate Finance Committee cut the budget for all of higher education,” Emmert said. “If these cuts hold, it will place all universities in very difficult positions.”
As with all possible fee increases, students had various opinions.
“I think if it would be useful to do things like add courses, then I’d be behind it 100 percent,” said Toni Smiley, a history senior.
Kirsten Stevens, an education graduate student, said she would not support a higher fee.
“I don’t think it should be increased,” she said. “It’s too high on my budget already.”