The Board of Supervisors approved a fee increase for out-of-state students and a four percent operational fee for all University students Friday.
Brad Golson, Student Government president and Board of Supervisors student member, said the four percent operational fee is in response to a $4 million budget cut the University was facing.
The Tuition Opportunity Program for Students, or TOPS, will not cover the operational fee.
Out-of-state tuition will go up $750 this fall and another $750 in the fall of 2005. By fall of 2005 the out-of-state fees will total $4,150.
International students also are subject to this fee.
According to the Budget and Finance Committee’s executive summary, the fee is a result of a 1996 State Legislature resolution.
The resolution mandated each state management board establish out-of-state and graduate fees equal to similar universities’ median tuition and fees, the summary said. The resolution also required that out-of-state student fees be increased for the fall of 1999.
The summary said at the beginning of the 1999 legislative session the Legislature extended the time to implement the fee increase until fall 2005.
According to a presentation during the meeting, the University charges $3,000 less per year to out-of-state students compared to its regional peers.
The Board said the fee will help the University align with its peer institutions. The last increase out-of-state students faced was a $550 per semester fee implemented in the fall of 2000.
“I am in favor of this increase,” Golson said. “But I do not approve of the way it is being done.”
During the meeting, Golson expressed concern about the lack of notice given to students before implementation.
Golson said he is worried some students will not be able to pay the increase before fee bills are due Aug. 5.
Provost Risa Palm said while news of the increase is short notice, the University must comply with the state law.
But Palm said the University still will be behind because other similar institutions are having “double digit” increases for out-of-state fees.
Board members and University officials agreed to help out-of-state students with the $750 increase they will face this fall.
Bill Silvia, LSU systems vice president, said students can defer payments of the fee.
Dean of Enrollment Management Karen Denby said the University accepted a total of 3,468 out-of-state students and 1,813 international students for the fall semester.
She said University Relations established a Web site where out-of-state students can learn more about the fee.
Denby said the University also will send out an e-mail to all students this afternoon and also use mail to notify out-of-state students.
Golson said the Board added a motion that out-of-state students who are awarded maximum Pell Grants can be exempt from the first fee.
Maximum Pell Grants are awarded to students with the greatest financial need, Golson said. At least 28 out-of-state students fall into this category.
He said he also is concerned with international students and their ability to pay the fee.
Golson said an e-mail was sent to students Friday afternoon detailing where they can look for additional financial aid.
Golson currently is having meetings with Palm and representatives from the Office of Budget and Planning to further discuss the fee.
For more information, refer to www.lsu.edu/students/expenses.