Press Release 6-14-10

          On Wednesday, June 9 and Thursday, June 10, the Summer Board of Trustees meeting was held at the Administration Building. Campus administration discussed issues like enrollment increases, financial cuts and increased expenses, tuition and housing, and updates on construction around campus. SGA President, Kimberly Proctor was present at the meeting to represent the best interests of the student body at large.
          The meeting opened with information and discussion regarding the University of South Alabama’s budget and financial issues. A major issue on hand stems from the fact that Alabama has among the largest state funding cuts in the nation, and contributions to the retirement system are at near historic levels, resulting in skyrocketing tuition costs across the state. The current year is the first time in USA history that the university will have three successive years without increases in salary. Despite these hardships, demand for services and education at South Alabama are heavily on the rise, and the university can no longer afford to release employees.
          While enrollment has increased by 754 students since the 2007-2008 school year, there is $63.4 million to be accounted for in cuts and increased expenses, such as healthcare, retirement, and utilities. Given tuition and enrollment increases, money saved through staffing reductions, and stimulus money, there is still a $5.6 million net deficit between revenues earned by the University and current expenditures. This deficit and improvement projects on campus created the need for the administration to increase tuition for the 2010-2011 term.
          As of Fall 2010, there will be a 14% tuition increase at the University of South Alabama. A $150 registration will also be incorporated along with the tuition increase for students taking 14 hours or less. The tuition for a student taking 15 hours a semester is estimated at about $6810/year, which is around 10% less than the average institution’s tuition in the State of Alabama; the cost per class hour will be $227. Along with the increase in tuition, there is has also been a 6% increase on housing costs for all students that plan to live on campus.
          “I would like to thank the administrators that have worked to keep our tuition this low,” said Proctor, “I understand that we live in a ‘Wal-mart-driven society,’ where everyone expects more for less, but students have been told this increases is necessary; they are going to need to happen if we want to keep up with our financial issues. Please understand that no one is going to welcome this increase. Our scholarships have not been increasing along with the tuition, and this really needs to be addressed. Also, the students of the university need to know exactly what their money is paying for.”
          The University of South Alabama has well over a half-dozen prestigious construction projects in progress around campus. As of June 10, the Moulton Tower/Alumni Plaza is very near complete, and is only in need of a few finishing touches, such as murals for the underside of the tower. Its dedication ceremony will be held on October 2. The Student Recreation Center is also nearing completion, and will be dedicated on September 17. Other notable projects in progress are the Glass Blowing Facility (which, in itself, is near completion), Shelby Hall, a new entrance portal at South Drive, a redesigned bookstore, and the promised dining hall by the dorms. Also, a project that will begin soon is the construction of a new residence hall in the vicinity of the Deltas and the Sigma Chi house.