Feb 15, 2007 6:25 pm US/Eastern
Plan Would Hike UMass Tuition, Fees
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
Tuition and fees in the University of Massachusetts system would rise by 3.4 percent for the 2007-2008 academic year under a proposal approved Wednesday by a finance committee of the university's Board of Trustees.
The increase was recommended by university President Jack M. Wilson. Under the proposal approved by the finance committee, tuition and fees for in-state undergraduates, on average, would rise from $8,918 to $9,221 -- an increase of $303.
Students are already feeling pinched.
"I've worked every year I've been in school and I will still owe a lot of money when I leave," said student Sarah Powell.
UMass-Amherst spokesman Ed Blaguszewski said since budget cuts forced student charge increases 4 years ago, costs have risen at or below the rate of inflation.
Blaguszewski also defends next year's expected increase as an investment in the future of students taught by a world-class faculty.
"UMass-Amherst is among the best and with a flagship university in public higher education, that quality is something that we really emphasize and I think it attracts people to us," said Blaguszewski.
UMass-Amherst had a record 23,000 applicants last year and is running 15% ahead of that this year.
The Board of Trustees must approve the increase. It meets next on March 14.
(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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