UM trustees approve tuition hike, $20 million budget

The University of Mobile (UM) board of trustees approved a 6.5 percent increase in undergraduate tuition and a $20 million budget for the private Baptist university during its fall meeting Oct. 24.
   
Also the building and grounds committee amended the campus master plan to include a new concept for the design and location of a student center. The initial concept, approved at the October 2005 board meeting, called for one building near the campus entrance. On Oct. 24, the committee followed the recommendation of consultants Myrick, Gurosky & Associates to build two facilities at opposite ends of Weaver Hall.
   
The first phase, with an estimated cost of $10 million, would be constructed adjacent to Weaver Hall’s north end. It would house a food service area, gymnasium, lobby, storage rooms, fitness and weight room and office space. UM President Mark Foley said he hopes to begin fund raising for Phase I in early 2007. The second phase would include a performance hall and conference area.
   
In other action, the board approved a recommendation to move the Center for Performing Arts from the college of arts and sciences and establish it as a stand-alone academic unit. Foley said the center, under the direction of Roger Breland, has grown rapidly. “The growth of the center for performing arts and its distinctive nature makes this a natural transition,” he said.
   
Foley said UM remains a great value for private higher education and its tuition compares favorably with other private colleges and universities in the region.
   
The board approved the following changes in tuition and fees for the 2007–2008 academic year:
   
• Undergraduate tuition for 12–17 hours increased from $6,000 per semester to $6,390 per semester. Undergraduate tuition for 1–11 hours rose from $420 per hour to $445 per hour. Undergraduate tuition for above 17 hours rose from $380 per hour to $405 per hour.
   
• Graduate tuition increased 12 percent, from $340 per hour to $380 per hour.
   
• Center for Adult Programs tuition increased 6.5 percent from $342 per hour to $365 per hour.
   
• Board charges increased 3.2 percent from $1,395 per semester to $1,440 per semester.
  
• Room charges increased 3 percent, plus a $70 charge for high-speed Internet. Room charges for Avery Woods cottages, campus houses and modular units rose from $1,700 per semester to $1,820 per semester. Room charges for Arendall, Bedsole and Ingram residence halls rose from $1,820 per semester to $1,945 per semester. Room charges for Samford Hall and North Hall rose from $2,000 per semester to $2,130 per semester.
   
• The student activity fee was continued at $175 per semester. The fee had been increased 150 percent for the 2006–2007 year only, from $70 per semester to $175 per semester. The board voted to continue the fee at the $175 per semester rate for the 2007–2008 academic year.
   
The board approved a $20 million operating budget for the 2006–2007 fiscal year, essentially a flat budget from the previous fiscal year.
   
Foley reported to the board  that the university is continuing progress in its plan to strengthen the university’s academic profile  and increasing residential capacity. Total enrollment for the 2006–2007 academic year was 1,634, including 1,211 undergraduate students, 198 Center for Adult Program students and 225 graduate students. Foley said the drop in enrollment from the 2005–2006 academic year was expected, as the university increased admission standards and tuition. (Enrollment for 2005–2006 was 1,804, including 1,420 undergraduates, 217 Center for Adult Program students and 167 graduate students.)
   
“Since 2003 we have increased the average ACT score of first-time freshmen from 20.9 to 22.8. With the opening of North Hall … we increased our residential population from 355 students in 2003 to 479 residential students in 2006,” Foley said. (UM)