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Going up: Miami increases tuition 3.5 percent for fall 2011

Inna Burroughs, For The Miami Student

Across the country, higher education institutions have been slowly increasing their tuition and Miami University is no exception.

In a move anticipated since earlier this year when funding for higher education from the state of Ohio appeared headed for another decrease, Miami's tuition will increase for the 2011 fall semester. Last year, tuition for in-state students was $12,198 now increasing to $12,625, which is a $427, or 3.5 percent increase. For out of state students, tuition will increase $809, or 3 percent from $26,988 to $27,797.

The tuition increase is a response to an $11.6 million decrease in the state of Ohio's appropriation for Miami.

The tuition increase will pay for higher costs faced by the university and a 2 percent salary across the board. All groups except for specifically stated union workers will acquire this increase in salary.

According to David Creamer, Vice President for Finance and Business Services, this is in fact beneficial to students' education.

"The goal is to preserve the quality of the educational experience so that students who graduate from here have strong opportunities," Creamer said.

The decision to increase the tuition came from a recommendation from the administration. The Fiscal Priorities Committee reviewed this recommendation and decided to bring it to the Board of Trustees.

There has also been an increase in the amount of money available to the financial aid office, Creamer said. Yet, each case differs from the next due to financial implications. Each grant and scholarship awarded has its own regulations at the state and federal level and their budgets will indicate how much money can be awarded to each individual.

However, there will be consequences due to the decrease in state help. The university needs to find ways to operate more productively and in doing so, has already cut $8 million from the budget for the 2011-2012 school year.

Senior Glynn Caudill doesn't like that the budget shortage has necessitated the elimination of some jobs.

"A lot of money has been wasted on building a new student center, when Shriver is still in good shape," Caudill said. "Due to budget cuts, teachers, bus drivers and people who interface with students, people who teach us and clean up after us are the ones being laid off."

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However, the changes due to the $8 million budget cuts have already been implemented with President David Hodge's Strategic Priorities report last year. Therefore, only the effects of those changes made last year will be seen in upcoming semesters.

Creamer says increasing the tuition will protect the quality of the educational system in the most cost-effective way.