President Savoie's tuition increase email (to students)

[BrudaCajun]

An Important Message from Dr. E. Joseph Savoie, President, UL Lafayette

January 8, 2009

Dear UL Lafayette Student,

In December, the state mandated that UL Lafayette cut its current
year's budget by $4.3 million due to a projected decline in state
revenues.

We have done that and we accomplished the task without negatively
affecting class sizes, class offerings, academic programs or any
other academic support function. Providing you a high quality
educational experience is our primary responsibility.

In addition to the $4.3 million budget cut, we expect a budget deficit
of nearly $3 million this fiscal year in student auxiliary operations,
which are anciliary student support areas intended to be financially
self-sufficient. These include the Student Union, transit system
operations, recreaional sports/activities, the health clinic and other
student-related services.

In the past, the University has managed to cover financial shortfalls
in auxiliary operations from its own funds. Due to the $4.3 million
budget cut, that is no longer feasible. The University of Louisiana
System has recommended that UL Lafayette make its auxiliary services
self-sustaining.

Our options are to eliminate services or generate additional funds to
cover these budget deficits. Because we believe that these services
are vital to the overall educational experience of our students, we
have requested and received approval from the University of Louisiana
System to assess an additional student charge for auxiliary operations
to be implemented immediately.

Students taking four or more credit hours will be assessed an
additional $100 for a regular semester (fall and spring) and $50 for
a summer session. This charge is estimated to generate approximately
$1.5 million for this fiscal year, to be applied to the projected
$3 million auxiliary deficit. The University will cover the balance
of the deficit for this fiscal year.

We are very aware of the economic challenges that many of our students
face. So, this was not an easy decision to make. But, this student
charge is necessary for UL Lafayette to maintain vital student
benefits.

We realize this increase may create a financial hardship for many
students. We are establishing a hardship waiver for students
with special financial needs and will notify you with consideration
criteria by Monday, January 12.

Student costs at our University remain an exceptional bargain,
compared to similar universities. In fact, UL Lafayette has one of
the lowest tuition and fee rates of any university of its type in
the southern region of the United States.

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2007-08 Tuition/Fee Rates of Comparable Universities in the South
South $4,887
UL Lafayette $3,402 source: IPEDS 2007-08
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Among comparable universities in Louisiana, UL Lafayette students
pay the least amount of mandatory tuition and fees.

--------------------------------------------------------------------
2007-08 Tuition/Fee Rates of Comparable Universities in Louisiana
LA Tech $4,622
LSU A&M $4,543
UNO $3,984
UL Lafayette $3,402 source: IPEDS 2007-08
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We appreciate your support as we respond to economic conditions
beyond our control. We share the same goal - your successful completion
of requirements for an academic degree - and assure you that we are
doing everything we can to keep tuition and fees as affordable as
possible without adversely affecting the quality of your academic
program.

Dr. DeWayne Bowie, Vice President for Enrollment Management has been
working closely with me and the other Vice Presidents on this matter
and will be able to respond to your questions, concerns, or
comments and will forward those to me so that I am aware of your
concerns. He can be reached by e-mail at dkbowie@louisiana.edu or
by phone at (337) 482-6287.

I wish you continued success and a productive spring semester!

I think that this is a great idea! Everything is true, I wish we could do something like this for athletics!

[Turbine]

Good idea in trying times.

Perhaps when the crisis ebbs they can roll the funds over into athletics.

If not, how does $500 per semester for athletics sound? Then it would be.


LA Tech $4,622
LSU A&M $4,543
UNO $3,984
UL $3,902

ps What happened to "We Are Louisiana"

[BrudaCajun]

_ 400 dollars a year for athletics... 200 dollars a semseter... Whats 400 times the enrollment anyone can tell me? What is the erollment? _

17k for the fall and usually around 16k for the spring

[cajun4life]

_ 400 dollars a year for athletics... 200 dollars a semseter... Whats 400 times the enrollment anyone can tell me? What is the erollment? _

It would be $6M if we had $400 worth of fee's per year with 15,000 undergrad students.

[BeauCajun]

_ I think that this is a great idea! Everything is true, I wish we could do something like this for athletics! _

It's about time we raise our tuition to cover these services. No problem for me and my son at UL. That will just reduce his refund and give him less money to spend at the Bulldog.

Shame we can't do it for athletics.