VCU Board of Visitors approves 2002-03 tuition and fees

By Lorraine Cichowski
VCU News Services

RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia Commonwealth University’s Board of Visitors today (April 25) approved the following increases in tuition and fees for the upcoming 2002-2003 academic year:

• 6.6% increase for full-time Virginia undergraduates in private housing

• 7.5% increase for full-time nonresident undergraduates in private housing

• 7.1% increase for full-time Virginia undergraduates living in University housing and participating in the 19-meal board plan

• 7.4% increase for full-time nonresident undergraduates living in University housing and participating in the 19-meal board plan

• 6.6% increase for full-time Virginia graduate students

• 7.5% increase for full-time nonresident graduate students

The cost for a full-time, in-state undergraduate student living off campus will go up by $243, to $3,918, and the cost for a full-time, in-state undergraduate living in university housing and participating in the meal plan will go up $638, to $9,668.

VCU, along with all Virginia higher education institutions, has been directed by the commonwealth to reduce its general fund operating expenses as part of the state’s attempt to address its $3.8 billion state budget shortfall. For VCU, reductions in state general fund support total $18.6 million in FY 2003 and $25.2 million in FY 2004. The general fund reductions will be partially offset with additional revenue from tuition increases, resulting in budget reductions estimated at $13.7 million in FY2003 and $13.2 million in FY 2004.

"We’ve attempted to limit increases in tuition and fees as much as possible, while still generating the revenue we need to provide students with a superior education," said VCU President Eugene P. Trani, Ph.D.

Today the Board of Visitors heard a presentation by Paul Timmreck, senior vice president for finance and administration, on VCU’s proposed 2002-04 University Budget Plan, which will be considered at the board’s regular quarterly meeting on May 17. The presentation also included information on VCU’s reduction plans, which include an estimated reduction of 95 employees and the elimination of 84 vacant positions. Forty-nine of the planned employee reductions will be the result of outsourcing housekeeping services that are currently provided by university employees, resulting in $647,000 in annual savings. Of the 49, 25 are eligible for full retirement. The university’s existing outside contractors have agreed to hire as many employees as possible.