Illinois State University's governing body will reconvene in a special meeting on Friday morning to take a vote on a proposed increase to student fees next year.
The proposed increases to mandatory student fees cover those charged per credit hour, as well as rates for university housing and dining.
If approved, mandatory student fees would rise to $117.21, up from $113.11. Housing and dining rates would both increase by 3.5% across the board; meeting documentation indicates the increase is sought to fund debt service, operational costs and "fulfill repair and replacement reserve requirements."
Last May, ISU's board of trustees [BOT] approved a 1.9% increase that set that figure at $113.11. The trustees' May vote also approved a 4% increase in the cost of university housing and dining services, a measure affecting between 5,000-6,000 students, most of them freshmen and sophomores.
At the time, then-interim president Aondover Tarhule said the need to increase fees came from rising costs for the university across the board that were outpacing revenue. He added student financial aid is one of ISU's fastest-growing expenses, increasing from $25 million a year to about $47 million for the current academic year. That figure had risen, he said then, "with no increase in enrollment or credit hour generation."
The resolution to increase fees was first proposed and on the agenda for the BOT's May 10 meeting. After being introduced, chair Kathy Bohn said more information would be need in order for trustees to vote and trustees tabled the resolution.
Friday's meeting is set for 8:15 a.m. at the ISU Alumni Center, 1101 N. Main St., Normal.
