For Release March 27
Regents Discuss Unified Tuition and Fee Rates for FY 98'
MADISON-The Board of Regents, meeting today at Dakota State University, approved standardized tuition rates for FY98. The approved measure will make the state support tuition rates the same across the system. The Regents standardized tuition rates at $52.50 for all of the system universities. In addition, the Regents approved a 3% "rate of inflation" increase in standard tuition rates for resident and non-resident students for the coming academic year.
This years changes are two-fold: standard tuition rates were set, as well as tuition rates for FY98. The tuition revenue to the system is within the 3% HEPI inflation limit. Regents President Karl H. Wegner said, "We never like to approve the increase of tuition rates, however, to maintain the long term quality and viability of academic programs it is necessary." Last year, South Dakota had the lowest percent (2.8%) and dollar amount ($76) increase in resident undergraduate tuition in the region. Last year, the regional average increase was 6.7% or $132.50.
The Regents have decided to limit any tuition increase to the HEPI (Higher Education Price Index) inflation rate. HEPI is an inflationary gauge widely used by higher education institutions to measure annual inflation on items typically purchased by educational institutions.
The Regents also set fee rates for FY98 and generally increased fees according to the 3% allowed under the HEPI inflationary policy. The Regents are also moving towards standardization of fees and approved a measure to implement a standard University Support Fee over the next four years.
Special fees: science lab, special discipline, system, salary enhancement, board, vehicle registration, and delivery fees were increased as requested by each institution with exception of the Law School request for a salary enhancement fee which was returned to the Council of Presidents and Superintendents for further review.
Before adjuring, the Regents elected officers for the next year. They are, President: David R. Gienapp, Madison; Vice President: James O. Hansen, Pierre; Secretary: Harvey C. Jewett, Aberdeen.
The next Board of Regents meeting will be May 8-9, 1997 in Sioux Falls at the South Dakota School for the Deaf.