Post by CrimsonPhantom on Apr 13, 2012 9:27:53 GMT -7
Las Cruces Bulletin
At a special meeting Thursday, April 5, New Mexico State University regents approved a 3.7 percent increase in tuition and fees for in-state students at the main campus in Las Cruces for the 2012-13 academic year.
“New Mexico State has done an extremely good job of living within our means during these very difficult times,” regent Laura Conniff said. “These recommendations represent the right direction to help our students, as well as our faculty and staff.”
NMSU President Barbara Couture said the increase from tuition will be coupled with new state appropriation funding to help the university reinvest in strategic priorities after several years of dealing with funding decreases.
Even with an increase in funding for fiscal year 2013, NMSU Las Cruces has experienced a reduction in state appropriations of more than $28 million since fiscal year 2009, according to NMSU officials.
“We are so thankful for the increased state appropriations that we will receive due to the new funding formula and as we begin to see signs of financial stability, we feel it is critical that we cautiously reinvest in our university, ” Couture said. “However, the increases do not make up for the losses we experienced during the past few years.”
“We must recognize the challenges created by the recent years of budget cuts and invest to keep the university competitive. At the same time, we also recognize the need to keep tuition low. We feel this recommendation acknowledges all pertinent factors – especially our students and their needs for affordable tuition and excellent academic programming. Students need and deserve a quality education and addressing faculty and staff salaries will help us ensure that quality.”
The increased funding will help the university invest in a 2 percent compensation pool for eligible faculty and staff. Employees have not received an annual salary increase since July 1, 2008, and salary remains a high priority for the university.
Investments also will be made in new faculty and staff positions, of which 110 were eliminated on the Las Cruces campus during the strategic budget cuts in 2011.
The university also plans to invest in its enrollment management division, including scholarships for students, part-time instruction, student support services and recruiting. An investment in graduate assistantships will be made as well.
Finally, Couture will set up a President’s Performance Fund to be administered through the University Budget Committee for departments to submit proposals for new initiatives that directly support the university’s strategic plan, Building the Vision.
The 3.7 percent increase for full-time, resident undergraduate students means an additional $106.80 per semester. For full-time, non-resident undergraduate students the increase will be 4.4 percent, or $399.60 per semester.
Full-time, resident graduate students also will see a 3.7 percent increase, or $117.60 per semester. Full-time, non-resident graduate student tuition will increase 4.4 percent, or $410.40 per semester.
NMSU community colleges will see some increases as well.
For resident in-district students, NMSU Alamogordo tuition and fees will increase 3.9 percent; Doña Ana Community College, 3.2 percent; and NMSU Grants, 4.6 percent.
With expected increased revenues projected from an established 3-mill levy, NMSU Carlsbad will not have a tuition and fee increase for resident in-district students.
The board also approved a 3 percent increase in housing rates, except for student family housing rates, which remain unchanged. Funds generated by the increase will be used for program and service enhancements focused on academic success of residents.
The university’s meal plans, in coordination with new food service provider, Sodexo, are being restructured to support student needs and better align with participant usage patterns. Increased funding will be used for broad program enhancements and to offset inflationary increases.
Parking fees for the 2012-13 academic year were increased at different levels depending on permit type. Most faculty and staff will see an increase of 42 cents per month and commuter students, campus residents and outer lot employees will see an increase of 17 cents per month. The funds will be used to support operating costs.
At a special meeting Thursday, April 5, New Mexico State University regents approved a 3.7 percent increase in tuition and fees for in-state students at the main campus in Las Cruces for the 2012-13 academic year.
“New Mexico State has done an extremely good job of living within our means during these very difficult times,” regent Laura Conniff said. “These recommendations represent the right direction to help our students, as well as our faculty and staff.”
NMSU President Barbara Couture said the increase from tuition will be coupled with new state appropriation funding to help the university reinvest in strategic priorities after several years of dealing with funding decreases.
Even with an increase in funding for fiscal year 2013, NMSU Las Cruces has experienced a reduction in state appropriations of more than $28 million since fiscal year 2009, according to NMSU officials.
“We are so thankful for the increased state appropriations that we will receive due to the new funding formula and as we begin to see signs of financial stability, we feel it is critical that we cautiously reinvest in our university, ” Couture said. “However, the increases do not make up for the losses we experienced during the past few years.”
“We must recognize the challenges created by the recent years of budget cuts and invest to keep the university competitive. At the same time, we also recognize the need to keep tuition low. We feel this recommendation acknowledges all pertinent factors – especially our students and their needs for affordable tuition and excellent academic programming. Students need and deserve a quality education and addressing faculty and staff salaries will help us ensure that quality.”
The increased funding will help the university invest in a 2 percent compensation pool for eligible faculty and staff. Employees have not received an annual salary increase since July 1, 2008, and salary remains a high priority for the university.
Investments also will be made in new faculty and staff positions, of which 110 were eliminated on the Las Cruces campus during the strategic budget cuts in 2011.
The university also plans to invest in its enrollment management division, including scholarships for students, part-time instruction, student support services and recruiting. An investment in graduate assistantships will be made as well.
Finally, Couture will set up a President’s Performance Fund to be administered through the University Budget Committee for departments to submit proposals for new initiatives that directly support the university’s strategic plan, Building the Vision.
The 3.7 percent increase for full-time, resident undergraduate students means an additional $106.80 per semester. For full-time, non-resident undergraduate students the increase will be 4.4 percent, or $399.60 per semester.
Full-time, resident graduate students also will see a 3.7 percent increase, or $117.60 per semester. Full-time, non-resident graduate student tuition will increase 4.4 percent, or $410.40 per semester.
NMSU community colleges will see some increases as well.
For resident in-district students, NMSU Alamogordo tuition and fees will increase 3.9 percent; Doña Ana Community College, 3.2 percent; and NMSU Grants, 4.6 percent.
With expected increased revenues projected from an established 3-mill levy, NMSU Carlsbad will not have a tuition and fee increase for resident in-district students.
The board also approved a 3 percent increase in housing rates, except for student family housing rates, which remain unchanged. Funds generated by the increase will be used for program and service enhancements focused on academic success of residents.
The university’s meal plans, in coordination with new food service provider, Sodexo, are being restructured to support student needs and better align with participant usage patterns. Increased funding will be used for broad program enhancements and to offset inflationary increases.
Parking fees for the 2012-13 academic year were increased at different levels depending on permit type. Most faculty and staff will see an increase of 42 cents per month and commuter students, campus residents and outer lot employees will see an increase of 17 cents per month. The funds will be used to support operating costs.