Tuition, fees could increase up to 10 percent

Tuition and fees at Portland State could increase by as much as $184 per term next year, a rise of more than 10 percent for undergraduate resident students, if the Oregon University System (OUS) approves proposed rates at their monthly meeting on Friday.

The increase would cost a full-time student taking 16 credits nearly $2,000 each term, a rise of $121 per term over last year. A $185 rise in the cost of tuition and fees for 15 credits, to $1,921.50, is the largest increase.

Graduate tuition would see an even higher tuition hike if proposed rates are accepted. A student taking eight credits would see a $226 per term increase, while a student taking 12 credits would see tuition swell by $333.

The Oregon University System State Board of Higher Education is proposing tuition increases to each of the seven Oregon universities. A student taking 12 credits at the University of Oregon would pay $1,842 each term if the state board increases tuition.

Student fees played a key role in the increases: the total fees could rise by $57, up to $483.50 for all students taking 12 or more credits. Most fees are pro-rated for students taking fewer than 11 credits, while they are the same for students taking 12 credits or more.

The student incidental fee, which pays for the operation of all student groups including athletics and The Vanguard, is set to rise to $202 per term, $35 more than last year. If the board does approve an increase to the incidental fee, which will total over $12 million next year, it would be the second year that fee increased by more than $30.

The technology fee and the health services fee also increased by $15 and $7, respectively.

The OUS Board will meet Friday, June 8 at the Oregon Institute of Technology Metro Center (7726 SE Harmony Rd) conference room at 8 a.m. The meeting is open to the public.

The 2005-07 state legislature agreed not to increase tuition by more than three percent during both of those years.

2006-07 tuition and fees

8 credits: $980.5012 credits: $1578.5015 credits: $1736.5016 credits: $1866.50

2007-08 tuition and fees

8 credits: $1031.5012 credits: $1659.5015 credits: $1921.5016 credits: $1987.50