USF student fees likely to rise

[ChiTownBull]

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/11/02/Southpinellas/USF_student_fees_like.shtml

Big - time football aspirations mean campus programs and facilities need an upgrade .

By Shannon Colavecchio-Van Sickler, Times Staff Writer

Published November 2, 2006

TAMPA - No matter how state leaders vote on a proposed 7 percent tuition increase for Florida undergraduates, University of South Florida students will likely pay more for their degrees next fall.

The main reasons: USF's big-time football aspirations, its efforts to build school spirit and rising health care costs.

Under a proposal being considered today by members of USF's board of trustees, the student fees that cover health services, athletics and campus activities would go up by $1.34 per credit hour for an in-state undergraduate.

A student would go from paying about $1,708 in tuition and fees for a 15-credit semester to paying $1,728.

The $20 increase - about the cost of six Mocha Frappucinos from Starbucks - would generate about $1.3-million annually.

Administrators pushing to make USF a more traditional university - complete with high-profile athletics - say the higher fees would pay for improvements in campus facilities and better student programs and health services.

"Culture and school spirit are so important," said professor Glen Besterfield, who led the seven-member committee of students, and staff and faculty members that is unanimously recommending the higher fees.

Student government officers want to improve student activities during homecoming week and during the week of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. USF's homecoming parade last year drew 2,500 - a fraction of the more than 40,000 students.

The higher fee revenue also would help cover costs associated with USF's membership in the Big East athletic conference, including team travel and the use of Raymond James Stadium for football games.

Athletic administrators wanted a $1-per-credit-hour increase to help cover $700,000 in Sun Dome improvements and $300,000 for team travel and rental of Raymond James. Instead, Besterfield's committee is recommending a 36-cent increase.

Health would go up by 64 cents per credit hour, and the student activity and service fee would go up by 34 cents.

Those aren't the only increases in the works. USF administrators are recommending new materials fees for 32 courses in areas such as physiology, engineering, music, nursing, theater and journalism.

Shannon Colavecchio-Van Sickler can be reached at 813 226-3403 or svansickler@sptimes.com.

[flsportsfan83]

I have no problem with this

[USF03]

If students want nice buildings, great services, a great athletic dept, great events, etc etc etc....

then guess who is paying for it?  Lucky for us, we are a state university, and the state pays for MOST of it.  We often forget how little Florida students really pay.  They need to be raised, as long as need-based fin aid is meeting its needs.

[USFMikeB]

If $1.34 =$1.3 million annually, then Athletics will get an additional $360K out of this with a $0.36 increase.