|
Tuition, Programs, and Buildings All Going Up
by Kacie Cardwell
President Dan Lunsford speaks about tuition increase.
|
Tuition will go up again next fall at Mars Hill College. Students in 2008-2009 will pay 5.75 percent more in tuition and fees for a yearly total of $19,894. That is $1,082 more than this year.
The cost of meal plans will increase about 6 percent and the cost of living on campus will increase an average of 8 percent, with variances depending on particular dorms.
According to President Dan Lunsford, total MHC costs, including tuition and fees, room, and board will increase an average of 6.1 percent. That translates to about $27,080 for the average incoming freshman.
"For some people it will be less than that, and for some people it will be more than that, based on dorm selection, meal plan selection, and so forth. But the average for all is 6.1 percent," said Lunsford. Costs last year rose an average of 4.8 percent.
| '07-'08 |
Costs Compared |
'08-'09 |
| Tuition and Fees |
| $18,812 |
 |
$19,894 |
| Housing |
$3,150
$4,190
$4,730
$3,400
$4,530
$5,100
$3,990
$5,310
$5,900
$5,310 |
Myers, Gibson, Moore (dbl.)
(single)
(private)
Stroup, Huffman, Fox, Jarvis
(single)
(private)
Apts.,Turner, Brown (double)
(single)
(private)
Bailey Mtn. (singles only) |
$3,380
$4,380
$5,050
$3,780
$4,900
$5,650
$4,350
$5,640
$6,510
$5,640 |
| Meal Plans (Meals per week) |
$2,136
$3,242
$3,562
$3,312 |
7
10*
15*
19**
*Includes $150 Bonus Bucks
**Includes $50 Bonus Bucks |
$2,264
$3,437
$3,776
$3,511 |
|
Lunsford gave several reasons for this year's increase, including a plan to improve compensation for faculty and staff; additional faculty positions; increased costs of utilities, transportation, and food; reduction in funding by the Baptist State Convention; initial costs for a new graduate program in education; and an increase in payments on a loan for new construction.
Lunsford said the college researches tuition increases of nearby small private colleges when planning the budget. So far this year he has data on eight institutions. "Five of the eight went up more than we did. Those that were less were half a percent less."
Of the eight schools, Brevard College and Wingate University had the lowest average increase of 5.5 percent, while Campbell University and Montreat College had the highest increase at an average of 8 percent.
One of his goals for the last four years has been that any MHC tuition increase "would not be more than 1 percent higher than the majority of private schools in North Carolina, independent of Duke, Wake Forest, and Davidson….We've been reasonably successful."
Increased compensation for faculty and staff is a major factor in the increase in student costs. The percentage increase has not been determined but will likely be close to the percent increase in tuition. The increase for faculty will not be a flat percentage; a faculty committee will recommend how the amount will be distributed. There is no committee designed to make similar decisions for MHC staff; however, managers will likely make recommendations. In response to the increase in compensation, Lunsford says, "I wish I could have done more for the faculty and staff."
Five additional faculty positions may soon be filled, depending on the budget. The available positions include an accounting position in the business department that will open after Professor Joe Blair's retirement; a space in the political science department, which opened after Professor George Peery's retirement last semester. The position left last year by the retirement of Associate Professor Samuel Boggess from the biology department also remains vacant. In addition, a new position may be considered for the music department, as well as a teaching position in physical education, which has no faculty with a Ph.D in physical education.
Ways to Reduce Utility Costs
- Turn off unnecessary lights and electronics.
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
- If your dorm has climate control, use it conservatively.
- Don't open windows when the heat is on.
- Turn your laptop off when not in use. Sleep mode still uses energy.
- When possible RECYCLE. The school pays for trash removal.
|
Increased utility costs are partly spurred by a rise in energy costs, which can be partially offset by generating energy conservation on campus. Plans exist this semester for climate modification in Moore, including new heating and cooling systems as well as replacing windows. The new Ferguson Science building will utilize geothermal wells for heating and cooling, which will help control energy use and utility costs. The Wall Science building will be closed next year for renovations, including plans to maximize energy efficiency.
Lunsford reports that MHC is "intentionally about the process of making buildings more energy efficient." He tries to conserve energy in smaller actions too, turning off his computer at night and using natural light as much as possible. An energy-efficient light bulb illuminates his desk-side recycling bin.
The steep rise in costs for rooming is partly due to the new laundry service that MHC will offer to students living on campus. Starting next semester, washers and dryers with higher energy efficiency will be installed in the dorms, and laundry costs will be completely covered by rooming fees.
A new contract is negotiated every year between MHC and Chartwells, which provides the school's meal services. Since the cafeteria stopped using trays to reduce water usage, food waste has also declined.
|
WHO MAKES THE DECISION TO RAISE TUITION?
Tuition decisions are made annually by the administration, particularly the President's Cabinet, which makes a recommendation to the Finance Committee of the Mars Hill College Board of Trustees. This year's Finance Committee chair is Dan Christian, a parent of a current student. The Finance Committee then goes before the full Board of Trustees, which makes the final decision. Neither faculty nor students have a direct role in budget or tuition decisions.
Members of the President's Cabinet include:
President Dan Lunsford;
Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs Nina Pollard;
Vice President of Institutional Advancement Alex Miller;
Vice President of Administration Robert McLendon;
Chief Financial Advisor Neil Tilley;
Executive Director of Budget Management and Planning Grainger Caudle.
|
|
The loss of funding from the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina has some impact on the tuition increase. According to Lunsford, the loss will not negatively affect students already receiving financial aid from the Baptist Convention because school officials have been planning for this loss for three years and budgeted to create a "phased reduction plan" to take place over seven years.
The board of trustees has approved an investment of about $50,000 to pay for the start-up costs of a graduate program for MHC. Initially, this program would be centered solely on educating students for a master's degree in education. Lunsford hopes that in the future the program may expand to master's degrees to other departments, such as business and social work.
The school is also repaying loans taken out previously for facility construction and renovation. These loans were used for the construction of the Bailey Mountain Apartments as well as the Ferguson Science Building. The loans also helped improve residence halls and academic buildings, including updated security such as new doors and locks and the new card swipe system installed in dorms last semester. Money held from the loans may soon pay for the installation of cameras in entrances of the dorms.
Reduced earnings from the endowment are also contributing to the rise in tuition. An endowment is a diverse financial investment of accumulated funds. Typically, the college utilizes a 5 percent draw, with the body of the investment remaining mostly untouched if not increased.
As of January of this year the school's endowment was worth about $43.5 million. The endowment has increased tremendously since 2002, when it was worth around $22 million. However, the earnings for this particular year were reduced.
However, of the $20 million increase since 2002, Lunsford reports, "Almost a hundred percent of the difference has gone into student scholarships." In addition, between 80 and 85 percent of the endowment is used to guarantee financial aid and scholarships for students.
Scholarships and financial aid play a vast role in students' payment plans for MHC. In fact, there are few MHC students who do not receive any type of financial aid. Lunsford recalls one parent who exclaimed that because of financial aid he pays no more than if his child had attended a public North Carolina university.
The multitude of students receiving financial aid suggests that many students rely on the assistance to pay for tuition, and financial aid does not always increase with increased tuition. Lunsford urges students to "engage themselves with financial aid staff." He suggests that some students may need to examine choices and costs to make room and board decisions accordingly.
HOME
|
