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Missouri Southern News Bureau FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 7, 2002 Contact: Dr. Julio León (417) 625-9501 E-Mail: News Bureau Voice: (417) 625.9399 FAX: (417) 625.3142 |
JOPLIN, MO (SNS) - Missouri Southern students will pay more as a result of cutbacks in funding for higher education in the State of Missouri. The Missouri Southern Board of Regents Tuesday night voted to increase tuition to $124 per credit hour. The tuition increase will become effective for the Fall 2002 semester. Missouri Southern faces a net decrease in revenues of $3,050,510 brought about by a potential 14 percent core appropriation reduction, and a reduction in customized training revenues also brought about by state cuts in other areas of education. Increasing costs of utilities, insurance, scholarships and other expenses also contribute to the budget difficulties. Missouri Southern President, Dr. Julio León, told Regents the College was left with few alternatives. "If the board doesn't take action to cover the shortfall, then essentially what the college will have to do is declare bankruptcy, fire people and eliminate services," Dr. León said. The Board approved the increase after extensive discussion. Regents also approved the hiring of Tri State Engineering to perform engineering services for the proposed traffic light over Newman Road between the main campus and the Residence Halls area. Vice President for Business Affairs, Dr. Terri Agee, told the Board the Newman Road light and another one over Duquesne Road near Fred G. Hughes stadium should be complete by the beginning of the Spring 2003 semester.She said the City of Joplin will assist the College in paying for the light over Duquesne Road. In other action, the Board approved the appointment of two new department heads: Dr. Phillip C. Wise will become the new head of the Department of Music and Dr. Deborah Pulliam will head the Department of Teacher Education. Wendy McGrane was approved as interim head librarian. Regents approved a proposal to reinstate Biology Education to help attract more candidates to science teaching and approved the creation of a Bioinformatics Option in Biology and Computer Information Science. |
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