In an attempt to mitigate the financial burden of rising tuition costs, University President Lee Bollinger pledged Monday to propose a tuition increase for this year that will be the lowest in 15 years.
"I think it is important for us to try in this period of very high criticism in the cost of very high education to be as responsive as we can to the public and help counteract that," Bollinger said. "The provost and I have been working on several schemes, or models, for tuition."
The proposed minimal tuition hike succeeds years of escalating tuition fees. During the past five years, tuition costs for in-state first-year students and sophomores have grown by almost $2,000.
Last year's 5-percent tuition increase for both in-state and out-state students was the lowest in 12 years.
"Our goal has to be trying to give one of the lowest tuition increases in many years," Bollinger said. "As always, we are trying to keep tuition as low as possible while maintaining a high quality in the University," Bollinger said.
Bollinger said he has not yet decided on an exact increase amount.
Associate Vice President for University Relations Lisa Baker said she has not yet seen any exact numbers to support Bollinger's statements. She said, though, that the pledge demonstrates Bollinger's commitment to the students.
"This reflects the president's concern of keeping a Michigan education affordable," Baker said. "Keeping tuition increases to a minimum has been an ongoing concern."
Baker said the quality of the University will not be affected by the modest increase.
"It's obvious from other statements that the president has made, that he intends to do everything possible to increase the quality of the total academic experience pursuits."
The University Board of Regents traditionally votes on tuition fees in July.
Regent Olivia Maynard (D-Flint) said she believes the regents would support a milder increase if it comes to the board.
"I think it's really important," Maynard said. "The fact that tuition continually increases is a hardship, so you have to make tough choices. I think (Bollinger's) commitment to keep tuition low is very important. I think he will get commitment from all the regents in that regard."
Bollinger has not proposed an extensive tuition plan similar to the one Michigan State University President Peter McPherson has had in practice for the past three years.
Terry Denbow, vice president for university relations at MSU said McPherson began a tuition guarantee that ensures tuition prices at MSU will not increase over the rate of inflation. The plan will continue through MSU's class of 2001.
"It's addressing the need for students and families to plan," Denbow said. "Quality education must be affordable. We see that tuition restraint and quality are not incompatible. Indeed, we find they go hand in hand."