After three years of unchanged tuition costs, in-state students planning on completing summer classes during 2010 will see a rise in their tuition.
The Miami University board of trustees approved a 3.5 percent tuition raise for the summer sessions with a vote of 8 to 1 during its Sept. 18 meeting.
Harry Wilks, the one member opposed to the tuition raise, said one reason enrollment dropped this year was because Miami is the most expensive state-run school in Ohio.
"About $5 million was lost because of the enrollment drop," Wilks said. "It's wise to not act (on the tuition raise) at this time. It would be great publicity for us to oppose the fee increase."
Wilks said not raising tuition would help attract more students for enrollment.
John Christie, chair of the board of trustees, said before the members voted that despite other schools implementing tuition raises for the 2009-10 academic year, Miami has chosen to continue the tuition freeze until the summer.
"Waiting until summer (to raise tuition) shows that we're doing what we can right now," Christie said.
Both Ohio State University and University of Cincinnati are considering similar plans for tuition raises next summer.
"We've gone three years without an in-state tuition raise, and we're looking for a balance between affordability and maintaining the quality of academics and services," said David Creamer, vice president of finance and business services and treasurer.
President David Hodge agreed and said Miami has no desire to raise tuition anymore than is necessary.
The board will wait to decide in the spring on whether to increase tuition for the fall 2010 semester.
Student Body President Jonathan McNabb addressed the board Friday morning.
"The increase for the upcoming year will be difficult for students and families, but it's unfortunately necessary," McNabb said.
McNabb said the tuition raise must be coupled with a better student experience.
Heath Ingram, student trustee, commended the board for allowing families time to prepare before raising the tuition.
First-year Julia Foster, a political science major who is also an out-of-state student, said it's responsible of Miami to wait a year to raise the tuition so that families are more aware and can prepare.
Junior Katharine Howell, a zoology major and Ohio resident, said the tuition raise is unfortunate.
"I'm not thrilled about it, but it's better than springing it on people; I'm not sure what families are going to do," Howell said.
Tuition for summer 2009 cost $391.79 per credit hour for in-state students and $1,040.56 per credit hour for out-of-state students, according to the Office of the Bursar's Web site.
