UMass trustees nearing OK of 7.5% fee hike

BOSTON – The University of Massachusetts trustees have moved a step closer to approving a 7.5 percent increase in fees that will add about $800 to the cost for an in-state student to attend the school next year.
UMass Board of Trustee’s Committee on Administration and Finance approved the fee hike last week to help bridge a projected $54 million shortfall in fiscal 2012. The full board was to consider the increase on June 8.
Chancellors at the four campuses, including UMass Dartmouth, also will be required to cut expenses, officials said.
“The university is left with little choice other than to increase mandatory tuition and fees by 7.5 percent and ask the campuses to make further budget cuts,” trustee Victor Woolridge, chairman of the administration and finance committee, said in a statement.
Under the proposal, tuition and fees for in-state undergraduate students next year will average $11,838, up from $11,012 during the past academic year, UMass said. &#8226