Administrators hold final hearing on tuition and fee hike

On Friday, Jan. 16, the final hearing to discuss proposed tuition and fee increases at TAMIU was held at the Student Center rotunda. Speakers included Vice President for Finance and Administration Juan J. Castillo and TAMIU President Dr. Ray Keck. Tuition for a student taking twelve cumulative hours has been estimated to increase by $119.00. Increases of approximately two to five dollar increments are planned for many areas including athletics, ID card maintenance, technology and library access. New fees, such as an energy fee, will also be added.Administrators clarified at the hearing that students will not be left without a way to help pay these augmented prices; twenty percent of designated tuition fees will be put aside for scholarships. Some students who attended the meeting shared their opinions about the proposed increases. “I’m very upset because our ‘fully-paid scholarship’ doesn’t pay for everything,” said Adela Alvarez, a freshman psychology major. “As it is, I don’t qualify for scholarships, so it isn’t fair.” Agreeing with her is Mary Sosa, a senior psychology major:”Tuition and fees were recently raised not so long ago and now it’s happening again. It is getting more and more difficult for students to get a college education. I plan to pursue a graduate degree here. I will still attend TAMIU, but it is getting more and more difficult to find the money to pay for my classes.” However not all students follow their sentiments.”I agree with it as long as there is a careful balance,” says Anuron Mandal, a freshman majoring in biology. “The professors need to be paid, but on the other hand, students need to have the means to pay for it.” Student Government President James Cortez agreed. “I remember a time when we used to be second to last in how much we charge our students; now we’re in the top three. To some extent, I can see why. Tuition and fees go by the TAMIU vision, so by following that, then yes, it’s right.”Approximately eight students attended the hearing, including representatives from Student Government. Concerned about the proposed energy fee, Maritza Morris, Senator for the College of Education, asked if the university planned on conserving electricity. She said she often sees lights on in unoccupied classrooms and offices. Castillo responded by stating that the new Student Success Building-currently under construction-was designed as a “green” facility. Keck also mentioned that the university has experimented with different energy conservation initiatives. According to Keck, a few summers ago, TAMIU adopted a Monday through Thursday schedule so that the entire campus could be shut down Friday through Sunday. However, the savings, Keck said, were miniscule.Proposed fees and increases will be submitted to the Texas A&M University System Board of Regent, and a final decision will be made public sometime in the summer. Should the proposal to raise tuition and fees be given a green light, the changes will take place fall 2009.