Purdue News
Purdue News
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March 27, 1998
Purdue trustees OK conceptual budget, student feesWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- The Purdue University Board of Trustees today (Friday, 3/27) approved a 1998-99 university conceptual budget plan that will increase basic student fees 4.9 percent on the West Lafayette campus and 4 percent on regional campuses.The board also picked an East Chicago, Ind., firm to oversee up to $4 million in standard construction and renovation services for the West Lafayette campus next year; authorized construction of soccer fields on the Fort Wayne campus at an estimated cost of $1.45 million; ratified the appointment of a new vice president for business services; granted emeritus status to a retiring executive vice president; and awarded a posthumous degree. Starting with the fall semester, Purdue West Lafayette students from Indiana will pay $3,500 a year, which represents a $164 annual increase in basic fees. Those from out of state will pay $11,720, an increase of $552. Engineering students will also pay a $200 differential fee. All students on the West Lafayette campus also will pay a $64 technology fee annually, a $32 increase. Of the eight other Big Ten public institutions that offer engineering, seven charge supplemental fees, ranging from $228 to $919 a year. Technology fees at the other Big Ten universities range between $68 and $330. "The first priority in this budget proposal is the quality of the education our students receive," President Steven C. Beering said. "The most important factors in maintaining that quality are competitive salaries for faculty and providing the technology support necessary for a state-of-the-art learning environment. "We are at a point in Purdue's history when our resources have declined relative to those of our peer institutions. Purdue's revenues per full-time student are the lowest in the Big Ten. That will not change with these increases, but we can -- with careful management -- begin to address some key quality issues. Discussions with student leaders indicate that they also agree that the excellence of the university comes first and are willing to support it by paying higher fees." James Chisholm, president of Purdue Student Government, supported the increase. "I think it's very fair, competitive and reasonable," Chisholm told the finance committee of the board that endorsed the increase earlier this week. "Students are not eager to pay extra, but they are willing to. ... I'm very pleased with the administration addressing these needs." Most students, he said, "are willing to give to make sure that Purdue University is a quality institution." Beering said the technology fee paid by all students and the new differential fee for the Schools of Engineering will address the need for state-of-the-art laboratory equipment and the technical staff to maintain it. Revenue from the engineering fee will be allocated directly into the Schools of Engineering to address critical quality issues. "The cost of a Purdue engineering education will remain a great bargain," Beering said. "The majority of Purdue's graduates in engineering earn more in their first year after graduation than they have spent for their entire university education." In addition, Beering said anticipated increases in financial aid will significantly offset the impact of the additional fees on students and parents. Within the Big 10, Purdue will remain in eighth place for in-state student fees and sixth for out-of-state student fees, Frederick R. Ford, executive vice president and treasurer, said. Ford pointed out that state appropriations and student fees combined add up to $20,468 per student at the University of Michigan. For Purdue and Indiana University, he said, the comparable figures are $10,737 and $11,888. Fees for students on Purdue's campuses in Hammond and Westville and in the university's Statewide Technology program will go up by about 4 percent. At Purdue Calumet and Purdue North Central, the new undergraduate fees for in-state students will be $94.25 per credit hour, up $3.75. Statewide Technology students from Indiana will pay $93.65 per credit hour, up from $90.05. At Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, the new charge per undergraduate credit hour will be $101.50, up from $97.60 for in-state students, a 4 percent increase. Purdue's West Lafayette campus general fund budget, which was $423 million for 1997-98, is expected to grow to more than $447 million for 1998-99. The general fund budget for the entire Purdue system, now $543 million, is expected to increase to $572 million. Purdue's overall operating budget is made up of the general fund budget; foundation support; federal and industrial research grants; gifts; student aid; and income from self-supporting auxiliary enterprises such as housing and food services, intercollegiate athletics and other service enterprises. Final action on the university's 1998-99 budget is scheduled for the board's May 29 meeting. In other action, the board:
Sources: Steven C. Beering:(765) 494-9708
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