Northwest Regents approve 2019-20 tuition increase

Northwest Missouri State University’s Board of Regents approved a 4.8 percent increase of the university’s tuition for the 2019-20 academic year during its regular meeting March 14.

Tuition will increase by an estimated average net price of $368 for undergraduate in-state residents and $553 for undergraduate out-of-state residents based on enrollment in 28 credit hours during the course of the academic year. This change did meet with resistance from two of the Regents, Jason Klindt and John Moore, who voted against the increase.

The increase is based on the allowable rates for undergraduate resident tuition and fees, provided by the Missouri Department of Higher Education under the Higher Education Student Funding Act (HESFA), which also accounts for increases in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and decreases in state operating support.

The proposal approved by the Regents called for no increases in room rates and fees related to technology, textbooks and student-approved designated fees. However, meal plans will increase by an average of 2.5 percent, based on CPI and the university’s contract with its third-party vendor, depending on the meal plans students select.

For graduate programs, the Regents approved a revised rate structure after benchmarking of other graduate tuition rates indicated Northwest’s out-of-state rates put its graduate programs at a competitive disadvantage. For 2019-20, Northwest has established its graduate tuition based on market demand and program offerings at rates of $335 per credit hour for business programs, $330 per credit hour for computer science and information systems programs and $285 per credit hour for all other graduate programs.

Presenting the university’s proposal to Regents, Northwest Vice President of Finance Stacy Carrick reiterated Northwest continues to be a great value proposition and is one of the most efficient in the region in delivering a quality education and programs to its students and stakeholders.

“As we consider our budget decisions, we are focused on achieving our results,” Carrick said. “We have a history of high performance and we’re very proud of that, and in order to meet those goals we have to build for the future. There are two key philosophies we focus on and that’s protecting affordability for our students and preserving quality of learning, which we do through our people. Both quality and affordability are what we believe provides value to our students.”

Northwest reports 97 percent of its first-time, full-time students receive some type of financial assistance.

In other business, the Regents gave authorization to Northwest President Dr. John Jasinski and Carrick to execute a contract with EL Crawford Construction Inc., St. Joseph, for $803,200 to refresh Roberta Hall. The project, not to exceed $1 million, will include plumbing, electrical, lighting and other enhancements to improve the living experience in the residence hall. The project is a part of Northwest’s Residential Life Master Plan and will be funded with money from the university’s auxiliary capital and campus master plan funds.

Recognition was given to Girja Chavala, BK Taylor, Danielle Koonce and Monica Zeigel for their outstanding efforts to the university.

The Regents also approved the promotions and tenure appointments of 19 faculty members, effective next fall. They are: promotions to full professor, Dr. Himadri Chakraborty, physics; Dr. Terry Coalter, finance; Dr. Alisha Francis, psychology; Dr. Matt Symonds, health and physical education; Dr. Timothy Wall, professional education; promotions to tenure and associate professor, Dr. Ajay Bandi, computer science and information systems; Dr. Scott Bell, computer science and information systems; Dr. Brett Chloupek, geography; Dr. Joy Daggs, communication; Dr. Joseph Haughey, English; Dr. Nigel Hoilett, agricultural sciences; Dr. David Kiene, professional education; Dr. Kathleen Spears, biology; Dr. Kathryn Strickland, music; Dr. Sue Wood, professional education.

Reports were given by the student senate president, staff council, faculty senate, AASCIU and Jasinski.