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A Note About Tuition Increases

Recently, the Old Dominion University Board of Visitors voted to raise tuition by 7 percent. While our increase is among the lowest in Virginia, I do recognize the impact it has on our students and their families and want to share steps we've taken to mitigate the effects for as many students as possible.

In the past two years, Old Dominion was forced to cut a total of $36 million from its budget to satisfy reductions required of all state agencies. While some of this reduction has been offset by the infusion of federal stimulus funds, those funds will not be available to us after next year.

Thus far, we have not made cuts that would have an adverse impact on instruction and student financial aid. However, we have had to make cuts to administrative support services like the registrar, finance and similar offices that may result in longer lines and delays in returned phone calls. Cuts to equipment budgets may mean repairs to or replacement of classroom and lab computers take longer. To reduce utility costs, heat and air conditioning in buildings are being kept at more moderate temperatures.

The decision to raise tuition was not an easy one. We factored in the difficulties it would pose to some families and through strategic planning and further cuts in non-academic areas like those listed above, we were able to keep Old Dominion's increase the second-lowest in Virginia. Nonetheless, a tuition increase was the only option to ensure that classes and academic support services would not be affected.

To help lessen the impact, we are providing an additional $1.9 million in institutional scholarships for students with the greatest financial need.

Since many of our students must work while pursuing their degrees, we are creating $250,000 worth of additional on-campus student jobs, bringing the total funding for on-campus student employment to $4.1 million. Studies have shown that on-campus jobs are the most supportive of students' academic pursuits and contribute to students' ability to be successful in the classroom.

Additionally, we will be hiring more faculty to ensure students get the classes needed to graduate on schedule. Additional resources will be given to public safety, library services, and student activities and recreational sports, as well.

In closing, I want to assure you that we worked diligently to keep the increase as moderate as possible and to reinvest some of those funds back into programs and opportunities that support student success. Thank you for choosing Old Dominion University. It is a privilege to be a part of your educational endeavors.

This article was posted on: April 26, 2010