Northern Arizona University\u2019s tuition and mandatory fee plan for academic year 2010-11 was approved today by the Arizona Board of Regents.<\/p>\n
During its meeting in Tucson, the regents approved President\u00a0John Haeger\u2019s<\/strong>\u00a0plan that allows 50 percent of Flagstaff full-time undergraduates to maintain their current tuition rate and pay only $167 in additional fees.<\/p>\n \u201cOur plan allows for absolute predictability for students and parents,\u201d Haeger said. \u201cWe give students a powerful reason to graduate in four years, because the best way to save money on tuition is to graduate.\u201d<\/p>\n Incoming in-state students to the Flagstaff campus will pay $7,667 in tuition and fees in 2010-11. The tuition will be guaranteed for eight semesters. Students at NAU Extended Campuses and at the Yuma branch campus will pay $6,131. The students entering the inaugural cohort at NAU-Yavapai will pay $4,500.<\/p>\n \u201cRaising tuition is always a difficult decision\u2014especially in today\u2019s current fiscal climate,\u201d said ABOR President\u00a0Ernest Calder\u00f3n<\/strong>. \u201cHowever, in the midst of a statewide shortfall and after having to layoff over 2,000 employees, we must keep our universities strong so our students can receive a quality education.\u201d<\/p>\n For a complete list of NAU\u2019s tuition and fees, click\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Haeger explained that it is NAU\u2019s intention to examine tuition at all its campuses. \u201cWe have to rethink delivery methods,\u201d he said, referring particularly to the new NAU-Yavapai campus. \u201cIt is part of system architecture to provide choices. We have 7,000 students paying less than at the main campus. Students and their families can opt for other methods of obtaining a baccalaureate.\u201d<\/p>\n The vote on NAU\u2019s tuition plan passed 8-1 with Regent\u00a0Anne Mariucci<\/strong>\u00a0voting against NAU\u2019s proposal because of the uncertainty of the economy.<\/p>\n \u201cGuaranteed predictability is a wonderful, wonderful, noble thing when the environment in which you operate is guaranteed and predictable,\u201d Mariucci said. \u201cWe live in a completely uncertain world. For us to tie hands is not a prudent governance principle we can afford right now.\u201d<\/p>\n Regent\u00a0Dennis DeConcini<\/strong>\u00a0thanked Haeger for \u201cstanding by\u201d the predictability model.<\/p>\n Also during the morning session, the regents approved tuition and fee plans from Arizona State University and the University of Arizona. Haeger told the regents that NAU is operating with a $30 million cut to its budget, with 200 fewer faculty and staff and 2,000 additional students.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are slowly watching the erosion of what \u2018public university\u2019 means,\u201d said Regent\u00a0Fred DuVal<\/strong>.<\/p>\n In the afternoon session, regents passed 7-2 NAU\u2019s proposed program fees for areas that cost more to deliver. Four undergraduate programs will have fees, including construction management, nursing, dental hygiene and business. These fees will apply to students who have attained at least junior status.<\/p>\n A new fee has been established for the master of science in nursing, and fees will be increased for the doctor physical therapy and the master\u2019s of business administration. Click\u00a0here\u00a0<\/a>for fee details.<\/p>\n Additionally, the regents approved 2010-11 residence hall and meal plan rates on an 8-1 vote. NAU residence hall rates will increase by an average of 3.67 percent for single student housing and .44 percent for family apartments. Meal plan rates will be set 4 percent higher than the rates for new students in fall 2009.<\/p>\n Calder\u00f3n commended NAU Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs\u00a0David Bousquet<\/strong>\u00a0for reducing the housing rate for larger family housing apartments in response to declining market rates.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\nThe meeting featured several references to budget cuts made by the Arizona Legislature and the subsequent changes made by the universities, including program changes, layoffs and furloughs, all while accepting more students.<\/p>\n