NEW STUDENT INITIATIVES SPUR TUITION INCREASE

June 30, 2000
The total cost of attending Penn State will rise by 5.72 percent under a proposal that will go to the University's Board of Trustees at their July 14 meeting.

Included in this increase is a base tuition increase of 5 percent, plus additional increases for a number of student-focused enhancements. The Trustees will be considering several new initiatives as part of this year's tuition increase.

The proposed increase will allow for the expansion of the highly successful student newspaper readership program to all students at 20 campuses throughout the Penn State system; permanent base funding support of the free campus Loop bus service for students at University Park; permanent base funding support for parking facilities and services at all other campuses; funds to support the operations -- including 24 hour weekend access -- at the new fitness center being constructed in the White Building; and the opening of the main level of the Hetzel Student Union building 24 hours a day.

Under the proposal, base tuition will increase 5 percent, while all of the student support initiatives and a capital improvement initiative will add 1.23 percent, for a total tuition increase of 6.23 percent. With the previously approved room and board increase of 4.69 percent, the total cost of attendance will go up by 5.72 percent.

"The base increase of 5 percent is necessary to maintain and enhance the quality of programs in a highly competitive environment," said Penn State President Graham B. Spanier.

"The expanded newspaper program, expanding the HUB's 24-hour access to the main floor, and providing 24 hour weekend access to the new White Building recreational facilities are initiatives that have strong student support," said Vice President for Student Affairs William Asbury. "We think it is important to provide the funds to accomplish these goals," Asbury said.

"We believe that the base increase, together with the new initiatives, will greatly enhance the quality of educational experience that our students receive," said Executive Vice President and Provost Rodney Erickson.

"We are especially committed to a continued program of capital construction for academic and student support facilities on all of our campuses, a priority that is reflected in our tuition increase. These funds will be used for deferred maintenance, renovations, and high-priority new buildings. We simply must address these needs that are so important to our students and faculty," Spanier added.

Undergraduate tuition at Penn State for the 2000/2001 academic year will be $6,546, an increase of $384 per year. Penn State continues to be one of the most popular universities in the nation, with 75,000 applications submitted for this summer and fall, a record high.

The newspaper readership program, developed originally at nine campuses for residence hall students, has been copied by more than one hundred universities throughout the country. Under the new initiative, the program will expand to include all students at 20 campus locations. Students will receive copies of their choice of national and local newspapers, along with the student newspaper.

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EDITORS: For more information, contact Steve MacCarthy at 814/863-1028.

Contact: Alan Janesch (o) 814/865-7517 or by e-mail