JACKSON - It will cost students at Mississippi's eight universities more to live on campus next year, though for the first time in four years their tuition won't be going up.
The state College Board voted 10-2 Thursday for room-and-board fee increases ranging from $80 to $390 more a year at the state's eight universities this fall.
In other action Thursday, the Board tabled a student-proposed fee increase at Mississippi State University and started interviewing nine candidates for Delta State University president.
University presidents cited a need for improvements to residence halls and rising utility costs - up 12 percent to 15 percent - when they requested the room and board increases, said Pam Smith, an assistant commissioner of higher education. Smith said another reason for the increase is a rising demand for single rooms on campus.
"The room and board services are auxiliary services. None of the state money or tuition money goes toward these services," Smith said. "That's why the separate charges go toward residential services."
Robert Malone, 21, a journalism major at University of Southern Mississippi who lives off campus, said he's seen few campus improvements go along with tuition increases over the past three years.
"I don't necessarily see how that's going to help anyone on campus," Malone said of the room and board rate hikes. "It seems like no matter how much more we pay, nothing improves."
Board member Roy Klumb said he voted against the room and board increases, ranging from 1 percent to 9 percent, because they were inconsistent campus to campus.
"We really don't have a clear picture of what we're doing well in some places and, obviously, what we're not doing so well in others," Klumb said.
Klumb said rather than focusing on fee increases, the board should focus on better, more consistent management of the universities.
Meanwhile, the College Board said it expects to name a new Delta State University president by the end of June.
The full College Board was interviewing "a small group of distinguished candidates from across the country," Smith said.
Commissioner of Higher Education David Potter, members of a campus committee, and a search consultant were to take part in interviews Thursday and today.
Smith said three or four finalists would be announced in about a week.
Board members also expressed concern that MSU's fee increase could be seen as a tuition increase, Smith said.
The issue will be studied and taken up at the board's next meeting.
Klumb said MSU's administration needs to better use the $30 million new revenue from tuition increases over the last five years.
"While it's noble for the students to self-tax themselves, the administration has got to do a better job," Klumb said. "They've got to make some tough choices."
Thursday's College Board meeting was the first headed by new president Tom Colbert, who replaces Bryce Griffis in the one-year position.
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