By KRWG News
Silver City – The Western New Mexico University (WNMU) Board of Regents has approved a 6.19 percent increase in tuition and fees for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Full-time undergraduate resident students currently pay $1,794.25 per semester. Students enrolling in the fall will pay $1,905.25 per semester for 12 to 18 credit hours resulting in a 6.19 percent tuition and fee increase.
"I want to commend Sherri Bays, Vice-President of Business Affairs, for her financial management efforts which have resulted in a very low tuition increase compared to other schools in New Mexico," said WNMU President Dr. John Counts.
The Associated Students of Western New Mexico University recommended a $3 increase in student fees.
"I am truly proud of the Associated Students and their President Marcia Shields for the great job they have done on student fees," said Counts. "Our students have great latitude in being involved in this process - probably more than any other university in the state."
Increases in tuition are expected at all four-year institutions in New Mexico to help compensate for decreases in state appropriations. A 5 percent tuition credit was applied to all four-year institutions and a 9 percent tuition credit was applied to two-year colleges. The tuition credit results in a direct reduction in the state appropriation along with other reductions that were already applied to university budgets during the last legislative session.
Most universities raise tuition by at least the amount of the tuition credit to make up for decreases in funding.