UMass hikes tuition rates

THE UNIVERSITY of Massachusetts Board of Trustees approved a 5.8 percent tuition increase that would raise tuition by an average of $756 this year for in-state undergraduate students.
THE UNIVERSITY of Massachusetts Board of Trustees approved a 5.8 percent tuition increase that would raise tuition by an average of $756 this year for in-state undergraduate students.

WORCESTER – The University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees approved a 5.8 percent tuition increase that would raise tuition by an average of $756 this year for in-state undergraduate students to help close an $85 million shortfall.
The higher tuition rates, which also affect out-of-state undergraduate students, were approved in a 11-2 vote on Thursday.
Tuition, across the system, will average $13,862 for in-state undergraduate students.
Here is information about the change in in-state undergraduate tuition at the four campuses:

  • Amherst, an $800 increase, to $14,590
  • Boston, $750 increase, to $13,110
  • Dartmouth, $600 increase, to $12,783
  • Lowell, $780 increase, to $13,932

In-state undergraduate tuition with room and board:

  • Amherst, a $1,194 increase, to $26,868
  • Boston, $753 increase, to $13,435
  • Dartmouth, $1,274 increase, to $25,484
  • Lowell, $1,183, to $26,380

Out-of-state undergraduate tuition with room and board:

  • Amherst, a $1,700 increase, to $32,204
  • Boston, $2,103 increase, to $32,023
  • Dartmouth, $1,300 increase, to $27,473
  • Lowell, $1,650 increase, to $30,875

The university is facing a $3.5 million reduction, a 0.7 percent drop, in its state appropriation for the 2016-17 fiscal year. It said it is also facing significant expense pressures, such as obligations relating to the third year of contracts for unionized employees, debt service for capital projects and fringe benefits for employees, which combined will cost $107 million more this year.
According to a university press release, the tuition increase is part of a two-pronged approach to close an $85 million shortfall and balance the budget.
UMass President Martin T. Meehan said the shortfall will be eliminated through the tuition increase, which will generate $23 million, as well as spending reductions and efficiencies, totaling $65 million.

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While the tuition increase is expected to generate $30.3 million in revenue, a quarter of the amount will be redirected into financial aid, leaving approximately $23 million in revenue.
“I believe that the approach we are taking – one that emphasizes spending cuts over new tuition dollars – is appropriate and is consistent with the observation Standard & Poor’s recently made when it reaffirmed our strong bond rating and praised our ‘conservative budgeting practices,’ ” Meehan said in a statement.

Key components of the $65 million spending reduction plan include staff reductions, hiring freezes and other personnel actions, totaling $28 million, and administrative restructuring at $15 million.

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