NAU president moderates tuition increase in recommendation
Northern Arizona University President John Haeger announced today he will recommend to the Arizona Board of Regents a tuition and fee increase of $318 per year for resident undergraduate students and $378 for nonresident undergraduates, effective in fall 2005.

Haeger also recommends that resident graduate students pay an increase of $458 in annual tuition and nonresident graduate students pay a $518 increase in tuition.

"Our in-state students and their families experienced a 39 percent tuition increase two years ago and just over a 13 percent increase last year. While a tuition increase is essential to maintain the quality educational experience at NAU, we owe it to our students to moderate the tuition increase this year," Haeger said.

"Critical to the quality educational experience is quality faculty and staff," he said. "This tuition increase, along with appropriate funding from the state, would allow NAU to continue addressing inadequate compensation."

The proposed tuition and fee rates raise resident undergraduate tuition to $4,390 (a 7.8 percent increase); nonresident undergraduate tuition to $12,970 (a 3 percent increase); resident graduate tuition to $4,730 (a 10.7 percent increase); and nonresident graduate tuition to $13,310 (a 4 percent increase).

Part of the increase is a $30 annual fee for health care at the Fronske Health Center for Mountain Campus students. The health center historically has been subsidized by the university for nearly half a million dollars.

"This modest health fee will protect and preserve health and mental health services on campus for all our students," Haeger said. "The fee makes it possible for the university to provide convenient and immediate access to health services at a much lower cost than available anywhere in the community."

His proposal also includes an information technology fee of $2 per credit hour up to a maximum of 12 credit hours for all NAU students. The maximum IT fee would be $48 per year. The IT fee would ensure that students have access to the latest computing tools and services, which Haeger said is "absolutely essential" in today's knowledge economy.

"Most universities already have moved to health care and technology fees. NAU has subsidized these services for as long as possible. These dedicated fees mean that the revenue generated goes directly to support the health center and information technology," Haeger noted.

Haeger's recommendation on tuition and fees comes after several discussions with student groups and student leaders, during which the president explained that the university would continue to set aside 14 percent of the tuition and fee increase for need-based financial aid.

Even with the proposed tuition increase and fees, NAU remains in 42nd place among 50 peer institutions nationwide in tuition costs.

"The tuition and fees that we charge don't even cover half the cost of educating a student at NAU. That's a testament to our commitment to ensure access and affordability to students who want an exceptional education in an exceptional location," Haeger said.

In addition to the tuition and mandatory fees, Haeger is recommending increases in certain course fees to cover increased costs for course and lab materials and travel.

"In many cases, fees have not changed in 10 years, while the cost of materials has risen by as much as 100 percent in that time," said Haeger.

The course fee changes include:

NAU and the other two state universities will host a tuition hearing via interactive television on March 2 from 5 to 7 p.m. The NAU site will be in the Adel Mathematics building. Students and other interested constituents are encouraged to participate.

The Arizona Board of Regents will vote on tuition and mandatory fees at its next meeting March 10-11 in Tucson. The board will vote on graduate program fees, class fees and other fees requiring ABOR approval at its April 28-29 meeting in Tempe.