The Ball State University Board of Trustees approved a budget that will increase in-state tuition by 4.8 percent in 2005-06 and 5.5 percent in 2006-07.
Out-of-state students will also see their tuition rise, by 5.8 percent in 2005-06 and 6 percent in 2006-07.
The Board of Trustees approved the increases in a special meeting following a public forum last Friday -- fewer than 10 students were in attendance at the forum. The board first proposed the increases at its regularly scheduled meeting on May 6.
Under the budget, employees of Ball State will see the salary pool increase 1.25 percent.
"It is with great reluctance that we present a budget that has minimal salary increases but what we think is an appropriate increase for student tuition and fees," President Jo Ann Gora said.
In comparison, students at Indiana University will have their tuition increased by 4.9 percent for Bloomington, Indianapolis and South Bend campuses while the East, Northwest, Southeast and Kokomo campuses will see increases ranging from 4.1 percent to 4.5 percent.
At the Bloomington campus next fall, undergraduates who started in 2003 or later will pay combined fees totaling $7,112, an increase of $334. For undergraduates who started before 2003, combined fees will total $6,015, an increase of $278.
Ball State was forced to increase tuition because, among other things, it will lose $2.5 million in appropriations from the state.
"The 2.5 million dollar loss in our budget is compounded by several other unavoidable increases in university costs," Gora said.
Such costs include utilities, which increased 6 percent this year, health care benefits, which increased 14 percent this year, and a planned increase of $1.5 million in financial aid for students.
Thomas Kinghorn, vice president of business affairs and treasurer, said providing scholarships is pivotal for allowing access to Ball State.
Tom DeWeese, board of trustees president, said scholarships will help bring in good students.
The board and Gora mentioned during the public forum and Board of Trustees meeting that Ball State is not alone in raising tuition.
"This is not the only university having these problems," Kinghorn said. "It's a national issue tied to a major question: Who should have to pay for higher education?
"There are some people who think a fee increase means a budget increase, and that's wrong."
The university was forced to set a two-year plan because the state budget bill does the same, and Gora called the idea of setting a two-year budget an "unusual step and a very demanding one."
While Ball State did receive a cut back of $2.5 million in appropriations, the state granted the university $48 million to update the boiler and chiller plant, which has not been worked on since 1970.
"While all of us would rather see funds invested in more exciting projects, this plant is essential to providing our heating and cooling needs, which will increase with new buildings coming," Gora said.
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