UNL tuition rate
rises 5.4 percent
Number higher than the average
By Kimberly Sweet
Senior staff writer
UNL’s tuition increase was 2 per
cent higher than the national average
of public four-year universities this
year, which may put a crunch on
some students struggling to pay for
college.
According to a study released last
week by The College Board, college
tuition and fees at public and private
universities across the nation rose
less than 5 percent this year.
Tuition rose 5.4 percent at the
University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In
state tuition on a per-credit-hour
basis rose from $82.75 to $87.25.
While average tuition at private
schools rose 4.6 percent, in-state
tuition at public four-year schools
rose nationwide 3.4 percent.
Tuition increased 5.6 percent for
non-residents and 5.5 percent for
graduate students at UNL.
Mark Fischer, a sophomore psy
chology major, said he has felt the
sting of the 5.4 percent increase this
year.
Fischer wasn’t aware of the
increase when he started the school
year.
“I didn’t know there, was an
increase until I got my bill,” he said.
Working over the summer,
Fischer tried to plan how much he
needed to save based on last year’s
tuition rate. Now, he has taken out
more loans and gotten a job that pays
more per hour to cover the extra $500
added onto his bill this year.
While the better-paying job
helps, it doesn’t make it easy, Fischer
said.
“It’s still tough,” said Fischer,
who juggles work along with being a
member of the Comhusker Marching
Band.
A large portion of the increase in
tuition was to cover university oper
ating costs, said Dara Troutman, vice
president of external communication
atUNL.
One and a half percent of the
tuition hike was because of a 1997
98 legislative bill that funded
deferred maintenance projects on the
University of Nebraska campuses.
The rest of the hike was needed to *
cover additional operating costs the
university faces that the Legislature
didn’t fund.
Last May, the Legislature allocat
ed only enough money to fund facul
ty salary increases for the next two
years.
In order to cover additional oper
ating costs, tuition had to be utilized,
Troutman said.
u
There are increased
costs as well as
changing expectations
on the part of college
students
Craig Munier
director of Scholarships
and Financial Aid
While current figures aren’t
available for the 1999-2000 school
year, Craig Munier, director of
Scholarships and Financial Aid,
expects the number of students tak
ing out loans to increase, in part
because of the tuition increase.
The number of students borrow
ing has increased steadily since
1994.
The percentage of graduates tak
ing out loans in 1999 increased 0.6
percent over the year before.
The increase in the number of
students who take out loans reflect
the increase in tuition as well as the
increased standards students expect
to live by, Munier said.
“There are increased costs as well
as changing expectations on the part
of college students,” Munier said.
“There may be a different expecta
tion on what’s minimally acceptable
to live on.”
Statistics on the average default
rate on government student loans
also came out last week.
The national rate fell from 9.6
percent to 8.8 percent in fiscal 1997.
The default rate at UNL was 7.4 per
cent.
While the default rate was lower
than the national average, it
increased from 4.7 percent in fiscal
1996, Munier said.
Munier said he is unable to
explain the increase but said UNL’s
peers experienced the same phenom
enon.
“We’re not very worried,” Munier
said.
“University of Nebraska students
have an outstanding record of paying
back loans.”
Those who don’t pay back their
loans usually don’t because of unem
ployment or underemployment.
With the upturn in the economy,
Munier said he expected the default
rate to go down.
“We don’t know what to make of
it,” Munier said. “It could be in
another year it will go down.”
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I Group: Watch for unsponsored booths
By John Hejkal
Staff writer
The Residence Hall Association
was warned about possible illegal
activities on campus during its week
ly meeting Sunday night in the
Nebraska Union.
Tom Dake, assistant director of
Student Involvement, warned RHA
that credit card booths set up in areas
other than the plaza north of the
Nebraska Union may not be sanc
tioned by Student Involvement.
“If these credit card booths are
being set up outside these areas, they
are probably not being represented
by a student group,” he said.
He also said any booth without at
least one student staffing it probably
is not being sponsored by a student
group. Dake recommended calling
campus police if a student suspects
illegitimate activity.
RHA also passed its fall semester
budget bill. The budget totaled
$15,640, with major allotments
going to the semi-formal dance and
copier services.
Jadd Stevens, RHA president,
emphasized the importance of taking
the budget process seriously.
“Since it’s residents’ money it's
important that it is handled with pro
cedure,” Stevens said. “No one likes
to see student fees wasted.”
Chuck Rensink, RHA faculty
advisor, addressed the senators about
the significance of their actions.
“You are representing people.
You are dealing with residents’
money. It is very important that you
take your job seriously,” he said.
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Cross Cultural
Communication Social
Group
Thursdays, Sept. 9 & 23, Oct. 7 & 21,
Nov. 4 & 18, Dec. 2
3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Cornerstone, 640 N. 16th St.
Call Luis at 472-7513 or 472-7450
Sister Circle:
African American
Women’s Discussion Group
Weekly on Mondays, beginning Aug. 30
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Women’s Center, Nebraska Union 338
Call Tolandra at 472-2597
Gay Men’s Discussion
Group
Weekly on Wednesdays
6:00 -7:30 p.m.
Call Luis at 472-7450
Grief Support Group
Weekly on Tuesdays
beginning Sept. 7
2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Cornerstone, 640 N. 16th St.
Call Cail or Norma at 472-7450
Lesbian, Bisexual
anil Questioning
Discussion Group
Days and time TBA
Women’s Center
Nebraska Union 338
Call 472-2597 for more
information
No registration requiredI Stop by anytimel
—1
Data ports are now available in the City Union for your laptop connection.
Conveniently located near tfefe Computer Lab, you will find detailed instructions on how to successfully make your connection.