Tuition Will Rise at Northern Michigan University

TUITION AT NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY WILL INCREASE FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR.

THE NMU BOARD OF TRUSTEES APPROVED THE 2011–12 TUITION AND FEES SCHEDULE THIS MORNING.

THE ANNUAL COST FOR FULL–TIME RESIDENT UNDERGRADUATES WILL BE JUST OVER 84 HUNDRED DOLLARS.

THAT’S A LITTLE MORE THAN 600 DOLLARS HIGHER THAN LAST YEAR.

THE TUITION HIKE WAS BASED ON THREE FACTORS:A 15 PERCENT CUT IN STATE FUNDING FOR HIGHER EDUCATION THAT ADDS UP TO A 6–POINT 8 MILLION LOSS, ESTIMATED STATE–MANDATED PENSION COSTS OF A HALF MILLION DOLLARS, AND A POTENTIAL ENROLLMENT DECLINE OF 1 PERCENT.

THE INCREASE IS THE THIRD–LOWEST AMONG THE MICHIGAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES THAT HAVE ALREADY ANNOUNCED RATES.

BUT ONE MEMBER OF THE BOARD DISAGREED WITH THE INCREASE, VOICING CONCERNS THAT CONTINUAL TUITION HIKES COULD PRICE NMU BEYOND THE GRASP OF MANY STUDENTS.

NORTHERN HAS THREE MILLION DOLLARS LESS IN FUNDING THAN WHAT IT DID 20 YEARS AGO.

AND, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS MADE CUTBACKS BY NOT REPLACING THREE DOZEN STAFF POSITIONS VACATED, BY MAKING THE LAPTOP REPLACEMENT PROGRAM THREE YEARS INSTEAD OF TWO AND BY REDUCING DEPARTMENTAL SUPPORT BUDGETS.

ADDITIONALLY, SOME NMU OFFICIALS SAY EMPLOYEES HAVE HAD NO BASE SALARY INCREASES RECENTLY.