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Tuition at University of Akron to Increase 9.9%
AKRON, Ohio -- For Fall Semester 2004, tuition and fees for The University of Akron will be 9.9% higher for most students, including students who currently attend the UA School of Law, because of continued declines in state funding and spiraling expenses, officials announced recently. Tuition and fees will increase by 19% for students who are new to the University's School of Law this coming fall."State funding continues to spiral downward, while our costs are increasing, and we now are being forced to choose between sacrificing quality and placing a bigger financial burden on our students," says Roy Ray, vice president for business and finance and chief financial officer for the University.This year, The University of Akron will receive $10.8 million less in annual state funding than it did in 1999-2000. Also, this year marks the fifth consecutive year that students will pay an increased share of the cost of their state university education."The idea of public universities is that we all benefit from a better educated citizenry, so the state pays a share of the cost of a student's higher education as an investment," Ray says. "In the past, Ohioans had been told that the student's share would be about 30%. By 1999-2000, the State of Ohio paid only 50% of the cost of a student's education at The University of Akron, and the student paid 50%. Today, the state's share has dropped to 35%."In response, we have cut programs and positions, we have foregone annual salary increases, and we have passed medical benefits cost increases on to employees," Ray continues. "But we can only cut so many corners before we start to affect the quality of education that our students receive."All other Ohio state universities have passed or reportedly are considering similar increases in the near future, Ray says. The 9.9 % increase in tuition at UA was passed in two parts: An increase of 6% for the general fund, and a 3.9% increase for technology improvements and need-based scholarships."