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UMW to cut costs, raise tuition midyear

UMW proposing midyear tuition increase

BY JEFF BRANSCOME

Date published: 11/18/2009

BY JEFF BRANSCOME

For the first time since 2002, the University of Mary Washington is proposing a midyear $100 tuition increase to help offset state budget cuts.

UMW also plans to trim its 2009-10 spending plan by almost $2 million in the wake of Gov. Tim Kaine's state budget reductions announced in September. Yesterday, state legislators announced a $2.7 billion deficit over the next two years.

For now, UMW will save about $1 million by not filling vacancies, including seven professors and eight support staff positions (groundskeepers, accountants, etc.). Other reductions involve funding for campus clubs and administrative departments.

So far, UMW is the state's only public four-year institution to seriously consider a midyear tuition increase, according to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

UMW students would have $100 added to their bills starting the spring semester if the university's board of visitors approves the proposal at a meeting Friday. The increase would be prorated for part-time students.

The additional revenue would amount to $435,000 and be used in the spring for one-time expenses, such as computers, said Executive Vice President Rick Hurley.

"We have decimated our equipment budget as we have been reeling from the state budget cuts," he said. He noted that some employees are using 6-year-old computers.

UMW has received $6.6 million in state budget cuts over the last three years.

Gov. Kaine announced a 15 percent reduction to its budget in September. But the university's net loss ended up at 8 percent, or $1.6 million, because of stimulus money.

In addition to those federal dollars, UMW received $2.4 million in stimulus funds this year to mitigate tuition increases. It will collect the same amount next year, but the money expires after that.

Hurley said administrators didn't want to raise tuition too much after receiving federal money to keep costs down.

UMW approved a $255 midyear tuition increase in 2002 after state budget cuts.

In-state tuition and fees for full-time students who live off campus are currently $7,112, up $338 from last academic year. Students would pay $7,212 in annual tuition and fees as of January, or 6.5 percent more than last academic year, based on the proposed increase.

Larger bills wouldn't be the only noticeable changes on campus.

In an e-mail to the university community, UMW President Judy Hample said it sometimes takes employees longer to respond to maintenance calls or technology issues because of cutbacks.

"I will appreciate your understanding and patience as we adjust to and work through these very difficult financial times," she wrote,

She did mention that the school avoided layoffs, which she called an "overarching priority for us."

UMW is cutting almost $400,000 more than the state's net reduction in September.

The university will use those savings to add two administrative positions whose tasks include assisting with the accreditation process. Other institutions already have those jobs, Hurley said.

The school also needs to hire an admissions officer to replace Martin Wilder, who was promoted to dean of enrollment services, he said.

"We wouldn't do it if we didn't have to, but we really do," Hurley said.

Jeff Branscome: 540/374-5402
Email: jbranscome@freelancestar.com

The University of Mary Washington is reducing this year's budget by about $2 million. Here's a breakdown of the reductions: $1.07 million In savings, by not filling vacant positions. $756,155 In administrative department operating budgets cuts. They involve expenditures for travel, postage, advertising, etc. $50,000 In cuts to student club budgets. $63,463 In cuts to campus activities. $19,506 In cutting hours of food service at the UMW Underground. The State Board for Community Colleges last Thursday approved a tuition increase to offset state budget cuts. The increase of $7.30 per credit hour will take effect for the spring 2010 semester. That adds about $22 to the cost of a typical community college class. Officials say the increase was needed to absorb four state funding cuts since 2008 that total $105 million. The Fredericksburg area is served by Germanna, Rappahannock and Northern Virginia community colleges. "The state board made a difficult decision, and we promise to do all we can to help our students by providing services and programs and by looking for aid and assistance that is not loan-based," Germanna President David Sam said in a statement. --Staff and wire reports

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Date published: 11/18/2009

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