BGSU to raise spring tuition 3.5 percent

9/15/2009

BOWLING GREEN — After being one of the first universities to announce no tuition increase this fall, Bowling Green State University is now planning a 3.5 percent tuition hike this spring.

In a letter to students and parents sent Tuesday, BGSU President Carol Cartwright said she will ask the BGSU Board of Trustees to approve the tuition increase at its Oct. 2 board meeting.

The tuition hike would raise the cost of a BGSU education for a full-time undergraduate student $159 a semester. The cost will go up $78 a semester for a full-time undergraduate student at the BGSU Firelands campus in Huron.

Ms. Cartwright said the increase is needed because the core support from the state, known as State Share of Instruction dollars, were "severely cut" in the budget.

"This was a difficult decision that was not taken lightly," she wrote. "I understand the economic hardship facing many of our students and families. We are committed to doing our best to ensure that a BGSU education remains affordable."

No decisions have been made for any additional tuition increases for the 2010-11 school year, Ms. Cartwright said.

She noted that the university has already made $13 million in budget reductions and continues to look for ways to reduce expenses such as reorganization or merging programs.

"I want to assure you that our core mission — providing an exceptional education — will not be affected by these cuts," Ms. Cartwright wrote.