Expect slight rise in tuition

On February 15^th, 2013, the GSU Board of Trustees approved tuition and fee raises for the 2013-2014 academic year. I was able to attend the board meeting and afterward sought out our Student Trustee of the board, Erin Fletcher, to find out more detailed information regarding the raises and her affirmative votes in support of them.

According to Fletcher, the increase represents a 2.4% increase in tuition. The change in Strategic Initiative will rise to $1 per credit hour and the Facilities fee will increase by $2.00 per credit hour. Taking into consideration the specific improvements needed to maintain the University, Trustee Fletcher felt that they were within moderation and would benefit the student body to enhance the educational environment and safety of all within the University. All other mandatory fees were unchanged.

The Board of Trustees spent considerable time reviewing the student survey on the student fee referendum. Out of approximately 7,000 students, 215 responses were received with approximately 86.83% stating that fees should remain with no increase. Trustee Fletcher's biggest concern was that 215 respondents account for only .03% of the student body.

In defense of her decision to approve these two agenda action items, Trustee Fletcher spoke to many of the students and determined that many of them did not have detailed information on exactly how the increase would affect them or the improvements needed to maintain a safe campus.

Other students she spoke to did not take the survey for a variety of reasons, ranging from the exhaustion of too many requests to take surveys to being unaware of the survey altogether. In speaking with them about her decision to vote as she did, Trustee Fletcher feels that she has received an overwhelming approval for her decision.

Trustee Fletcher has acknowledged the breakdown of communication within the student body: "For future reference, I have recommended that discussions and information in regards to student-focused issues extend beyond surveys and that those intended improvements to the university with regards to this increase in funds be noted throughout campus as we move forward."

It is incredibly important for students to be actively engaged on campus. As students, we must offer feedback and suggestions to student leaders. We must vote for our student representation. We must stay informed about the things that go on at Governors State University. To get involved, vote for your student representation in the upcoming online elections March 25^th through April 1^st (more details to follow). Keep up with GSU news by tuning in to TWAG, ThisWeek@GSU, and continue to read the campus newspaper, The Phoenix.

If you would like to know more about the tuition raises or any other campus issues, please contact a Student Senator, or visit us on our Facebook page. As our university president, Dr. Maimon alluded to in a recent interview, civic engagement and career excellence lead to success. It is up to you to be an active member of the GSU community.