Connecticut State University

Raises Tuition And Fees Again

HARTFORD (AP) — For the second year in a row, the Connecticut State University system has voted to increase tuition and fees.

The CSU board of trustees voted July 22 to raise tuition and fees by 5.86 percent, or $348 a year per student, for the 2006-2007 academic year. Trustees last year raised tuition and fees by 5.8 percent.

Trustees said more revenue is needed because of collective bargaining increases, escalating utility and library expenses, and the cost of serving more students.

Karl Krapek, the board’s vice chairman, said officials have worked hard to contain costs and plan to use reserve funds to ensure the four universities in the system remain affordable.

Mr Krapek added that the increase is less than those occurring at other universities across the country.

The tuition and fee increase will affect graduate and undergraduate students in the CSU system, which includes Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, and Western Connecticut State University in Danbury.

CSU’s undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees for in-state students will average $6,284 in 2006-2007. Of that amount, $966 will be used to repay debt associated with the construction of new residence halls, parking garages, and student centers, officials said.

Students at other Connecticut public colleges will also see tuition and fee increases in the five percent to six percent range, under rates reluctantly endorsed by the state’s higher education policy board last month.