Issue date: 9/19/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Casey Hilder

University of Memphis students have six million good reasons to think they'll pay higher tuition fees next year. University President Shirley Raines announced on Tuesday that the state was slashing another $6 million from The University's already ailing budget.

Provost Ralph Faudree said students could expect tuition fees to climb steadily over the next several years because of the cuts.

"It wasn't planned exactly, but almost assumed, that the 5 percent tuition increase experienced by students would carry over into the next couple years," he said.

This means that students taking fewer than 13 credit hours next year will pay about $3,390 - $161 more than this year.

David Cox, executive assistant to Raines, said the budget cut wouldn't immediately affect The U of M's budget because of the increase in enrollment.

"Rather than The University using the revenue from increased enrollment as an investment opportunity, it is now being used to offset the dollars being taken back by the state," he said.

Some students at The U of M said they weren't surprised to hear about the possible tuition increase.

"I already expect the tuition to go up next year because it goes up every year," said Thomas Jackson, junior psychology major.

James Johnson, president of the Student Government Association, said the budget cuts may be an opportunity to figure out what is really important to The University.

"The budget cuts aren't the end of the world, but it is definitely unfortunate," he said. "We are in hard times, but this will hopefully force The University and students to collaborate and to find the programs to put money where it will be most beneficial."

The U of M's budget isn't the only one being slashed. All six of the state's four-year public Universities will likely have 6 percent budget reductions next year.

While most people are looking at the negatives of a budget cut, some are looking at how to combat the cuts rather than how they are going to hurt.

Bob Eoff, vice president of communications, public relations and marketing, said the budget is a planning tool and is going to be used as such.

"The budget could change based on the state of the economy in the coming year or because of taxes," he said. "Regardless of that, The University is obviously going to have to make some changes. At this point, it is too early to tell what those changes will be."

Eoff stressed the importance of The University continuing to market itself to potential students and retaining current students. "The University must continue to recruit undergraduate and graduate students," he said.

"The increased enrollment is crucial in helping maintain a comfortable budget."

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