JACKSON - A proposed statewide increase in university tuitions and fees would raise Mississippi Valley State University's income by about $940,000 a year, an MVSU official said today.
The State College Board this morning was looking at 5 to 10 percent tuition hikes throughout the university system.
On Wednesday, State College Board members and the presidents of Mississippi's eight public universities and the University of Mississippi Medical Center continued to wrangle with the tuition increase decision.
The board first heard the requests earlier this month. Some also add more for athletic fees and room and board.
Thomas Colbert, the chairman of the board's budget and financial affairs committee, suggested a 6.5 percent increase for all universities with a 9.5 percent increase for Mississippi Valley State University, to help cover the dramatic increase in enrollment.
Dr. Roy C. Hudson, Valley's vice president for University Relations, said the committee on Wednesday tentatively approved a 10 percent increase in tuition at the Itta Bena-based university.
"It goes before the whole Institutions of Higher Learning Board this morning. We're hoping and optimistic that it will go through," he said.
Hudson and Dr. Lester C. Newman, Valley's president, both were awaiting the College Board's decision in Jackson this morning.
Hudson said many of the state's college and university presidents were waiting in the hallway this morning while the College Board held a closed meeting.
Valley's enrollment has increased 49 percent in the past three years alone and 78 percent in the past six years.
If the 10 percent increase in tuition is approved by the board, the university would generate an additional $860,000 annually, Hudson said.
Also included in Valley's tuition proposal is an additional 5 percent increase in room and board fees, Hudson said. This would raise an additional $80,000 per year for the university, he said.
Colbert also suggested Wednesday that almost half of the 6.5 percent proposed increase go toward salary increases for faculty and staff, which was a main concern for universities because there had been no salary increases in the past five years.
He said the universities didn't have to go all the way up to 6.5 percent. Some universities had only requested a 5 percent increase.
Newman said Colbert's suggested compromise,which would have provided a 9.5 percent tuition increase at Valley, would not be enough to offset growth in enrollment.
Newman also asked for athletic fee increases that could raise the total percentage to 12.3 percent.
"With enrollment growth, budget cuts and not being able to address accreditation needs, we are at a very critical point," Newman said.
Colbert said he would like to do more, but affordability for students is an issue with him.
"Somewhere along the way, somebody has to make a decision and take into consideration affordability, accessibility, but on the other hand we've got to ensure a quality education for our students." Colbert said.
At the end of the discussion, the five member finance committee voted four to one against the 6.5 percent increase and decided to go with the president's original requests.
Colbert voted against the motion to consider the president's requests, with Robin Robinson, Scott Ross, Amy Whitten and H. Ed Blakeslee voting for it.
Mississippi University for Women President Claudia Limbert said she was pleased to see that the committee decided to give authority to the presidents on what kind of increase each university needs.
Room and board and other fee increases will also be decided at today's meeting.
