Wichita State University President Richard Muma proposed a 3.9% tuition increase at the Kansas State University Board of Regents (KBOR). meeting Early this week. If approved, in-state undergraduate tuition would increase by $9.43 per credit hour, from $241.55 to $250.97.
Although the requested amount is lower than what was proposed last year (5.9% increase) and is considered the “lowest among its peers,” the proposed increase is Wichita State’s first increase in student tuition for more than 14 years. Following trends.
“We are proposing 3.9%, but we do not feel we are out of line,” Muma told regents on Wednesday afternoon. “This is really what we need to do to continue to operate at the level that we are operating at.”
If approved, tuition would increase by $141.30 per semester for in-state students enrolled in 15 credit hours per semester.
Tuition fee increase
Tuition at Wichita State has increased an average of 1.6 percent per year over the past five years, Muma said, noting that the tuition increase requested by the University of Wichita this year is smaller than that of other area research-based universities.
“I feel really good about the way we came to the final conclusion in terms of the approach we took to vetting our proposals,” Muma said. “We are a research university and I want everyone (KBOR) to understand that relationship. Even though we are asking for tuition increases, we are trying to manage our resources appropriately. about it.”
Due to difficulties and difficulties, delay The new FAFSA process requires 36% decrease Regarding Kansas’ completion rates this year, WSU expects enrollment to decline, particularly among international students, engineering students, and first-time students. As a result, the university predicts that: $2.5 million shortfall from tuition fee income.
“Everyone should understand that this is a serious concern,” Muma said. “It’s really easy for some families not to get the answers they need and to make the decision to, ‘Let’s just wait a year.’ … I don’t want to cause fear here … but I think there will potentially be a significant reduction in first-time college students attending school this fall.”
“Reinvestment” in students
Muma said the proposed increase would go toward “reinvesting” in students through scholarships with a focus on need-based aid. An estimated 10 percent of tuition revenue will go toward need-based aid, Muma said.
There are 10 planned uses for the $3,663,335 in tuition increase proceeds and donations and costs from other sources. They are:
- 2.5% raise to $1,687,000; market-based compensation
- $1,458,458 in faculty operating expenses (utilities, operations, and maintenance);
- $1,043,909 for Strategic Planning/Student Success and Retention Initiatives
- $652,509 for capital assessment
- $621,000 for fringe benefit changes
- $487,317 in need-based assistance
- $308,827 in degree and tenure advancement.
- $280,000 to expand academic programs
- $200,000 scholarship
Student fees will increase
The required 5.64% increase in student fees will complement Wichita State University’s support services and athletics. An estimated $399,000 will be earmarked for support services and salary and benefit increases for staff positions, student programs, student organizations and various other initiatives. The “significant increase” (estimated at $750,000) comes from the athletics department to address new requirements and “fill gaps identified in a recent review.”
“Students have been very supportive of all these requests and have been involved in the process all along,” Muma said.
Three schools requested increases to continue and strengthen their operations: the College of Fine Arts, the College of Engineering, and the Barton School of Business. Each university requested increases of 2.56%, 3.2%, and 4.1%, respectively. Her five other colleges at Wichita State either did not request additional funding or were not granted additional funding from student fees.
mission critical program
Regarding reviewing the program, Wichita State merge Women, ethnicity, cross-sectional studies (we) program and another unnamed program. Himawari is awaiting a response regarding which programs WEIS will be integrated into. Meanwhile, philosophy, geology, physics, and forensics programs plan to develop action plans to sustain them despite declining student demand and return on investment.
“Do we want to get rid of those programs? I have doubts about that…but we feel like we’re in a good position to make sure we deliver quality programs,” Muma said.
The Kansas Board of Regents will reconvene for the last time in fiscal year 2024 on June 20. Livestreams of past regents meetings are available to watch at: YouTube.
