Trustees approve 2.4 percent tuition increase
Feb. 27, 2004
KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University students will pay only 2.4 percent more in tuition next year and will see no increases in their room and board or vehicle registration rates.
Acting at its Feb. 27 meeting, the WMU Board of Trustees approved a 2.4 percent increase in resident undergraduate tuition rates, effective with the start of the fall 2004 semester. WMU President Judith I. Bailey brought the previously announced recommendation to trustees.
The increase keeps the University in line with a budget proposal put forth by Gov. Jennifer Granholm in December when state university appropriations were reduced by 5 percent under an executive order cut. Under the proposal, universities that agreed to limit tuition increases to 2.4 percent would be spared addition cuts to their state appropriation for 2004-05 and would have 3 percent of the December cut put back in their base appropriations.
"The extraordinary and unique circumstances regarding the state and national economy require a special partnership for 2004-05 budget in order to advance the long-term interests of Michigan and the University," said Bailey. "This will help give our students a picture of their costs for next year, and the University can solidify plans to deal with the very difficult and substantial internal budget reductions that must be made for 2004-05."
In her presentation to the board, Bailey also noted that to keep student costs as low as possible, no increases in either room and board rates or vehicle registration fees would be proposed for next year. This is the first time in eight years that room and board rates have not been raised. In 1996-97, rates for returning students remained the same and only new residents paid a rate increase. Annual vehicle registration rates were last left unchanged for the 2000-01 academic year.
Media contact: Matt Kurz, 269 387-8400, matt.kurz@wmich.edu