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Lower fees for off-campus courses announced

Aug. 3, 2005

KALAMAZOO--Acting at their July 28 meeting, Western Michigan University trustees approved changes to the way fees are assessed to students taking courses online or at WMU's regional campuses. The changes will reduce costs for students.

"The change will adequately support EUP activities and provide an overall cost reduction to EUP students," said Dr. Linda Delene, WMU provost and vice president for academic affairs.

Students taking courses through Extended University Programs will now pay the same tuition as students taking courses on campus, but they will be assessed a single fee of $200 per course of three or more credit hours. The move replaces the current system, which used an $80 differential per-credit hour tuition cost for EUP programs as well as a $25 per student technology fee each semester. The new $200 comprehensive EUP fee will be prorated for courses below three credit hours. Students will pay $80 to take a one-credit course and $160 for a two-credit course.

For students taking one three-credit course, the net effect of the change will be a $65 reduction in the amount they pay that is above the general WMU tuition rate.

In a related item, trustees approved a change in fees associated with e-learning courses. Historically, e-learning courses were offered through EUP and included an $80 fee per student credit hour to cover costs. Trustees approved a new $90 per-course fee to replace that assessment.

The net effect of the new fee for a student taking a three-credit e-learning course is a $90 fee that replaces a $240 EUP tuition surcharge, for a savings of $150.

Since July 1, e-learning has been under the aegis of a new unit, The Department of Academic Technology and Instructional Services. The new fee structure is intended to support e-learning technology and advance the infusion of that technology across the University curriculum.

Media contact: Cheryl Roland, (269) 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu

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