University of Tennessee approves tuition increase

By Katharine Mosher, kmosher@nashvillecitypaper.comJune 24, 2005
The University of Tennessee (UT) Board of Trustees voted Thursday to accept tuition increases of 13 percent at UT-Knoxville, 9.7 percent at UT-Martin and 9.3 percent at UT-Chattanooga for the 2005-06 academic year.The increases translate into an additional $542 for students at the Knoxville campus, a $342 increase at Martin and a $402 increase at Chattanooga.The finance committee, which met for about an hour and a half Thursday, considered capping enrollment, cutting faculty and increasing out-of-state recruitment before concurring with the administration’s recommendations for tuition increases.“None of those are acceptable options in my opinion because they would have such a negative impact on the quality of the education that we provide and the opportunity for students to attend the university,” board member Jim Murphy said. Murphy said he felt the tuition increase was the only short-term option, adding it is not a good situation to be in.UT President Dr. John Petersen also informed the trustees of ways the university system has tried to reduce operating costs, even with 77 percent of the budget tied to personnel expenditures.UT-Knoxville eliminated two colleges and eight departments to redirect more than $20 million to funding for academics, according to Petersen.Administrative reorganization on the same campus freed up another $250,000, Petersen said. Though higher education budgets are dependent upon the state budget, Board member Susan Richardson-Williams said the board needs to plan for tuition increases further in advance than late June, roughly eight weeks before classes resume.“It’s tough on parents to budget for a certain amount when they apply for their kids to come to school in the fall, and then we come in here in late June and add some additional fees and tuition increases on them,” Williams said. Revenue from increased tuition will be used to enhance university libraries, diversity initiatives, student technology, employee salaries and department equipment.Roughly $770,000 is also earmarked to provide additional financial aid incoming UT-K freshman with the greatest financial need.

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