Top Story
June 2, 2011
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Resident tuition to increase $351 per semester
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With more than 24,000 students, Metro State is Colorado’s leader in educating undergraduate Coloradan |
The Metropolitan State College of Denver Board of Trustees (BOT) voted at its June 1 meeting to approve a $351 resident undergraduate tuition increase as a result of state funding reductions totaling $7.1 million for the College compared to last year. The increase will go into effect fall 2011.
BOT Chair Robert Cohen said, “We (BOT members) need to be voices on how higher education is funded in this state. We are not funded at appropriate levels in our state."
Metro State President Stephen Jordan pointed out that reduced state funding of higher education in recent years is necessitating tuition increases statewide.
"Since the 2008-09 fiscal year our funding from the state has dropped from $49 million to $36 million (27 percent) while our student enrollment has increased more than 10 percent,” said Jordan.
Components of the College’s new budget include an increase in operating costs, a conversion of student fees to tuition, and the need for Metro State to contribute to controlled maintenance funding for Auraria Campus facilities, something previously covered by the state.
The fiscal year 2011-12 revenue budget includes tuition and fees outlined in the Financial Accountability Plan (FAP), which was approved by the BOT and the Colorado Commission on Higher Education in November. Resident tuition and fees for students taking 15 credit hours are projected to be $2,416.86 per semester (a combined increase of $370.60).
Student fees will see a net increase of $19.60 per semester for students taking 15 credit hours. This includes the conversion to tuition of an information technology fee, registration fee and the elimination of an Internet course fee.
Jordan pointed out a strategy for students to keep their tuition low. By taking advantage of a special window, Metro State students taking 12-18 credit hours pay the same tuition and fees. The cost does not go up again until a student hits 19 credit hours.
“If students planned, they could get a four-year degree and only pay for two-and-a half years by taking advantage of this window. We have consciously not closed this window.”
