News > February 14, 2008

By Kevin Koehler | Opinion editor

The university is changing. On the heels of a recent board of trustees meeting, statements released Feb. 12 detail an ambitious list of new initiatives approved by the trustees. Items include significant cost increases, a boost in enrollment and several major renovations to facilities.

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Tuition and fees will rise on a number of levels.

Undergraduate tuition will go up 6.8 percent to $36,560, an increase of more than $2,300 over this year.

There will also be increases for law, graduate, summer school and study abroad fees. A new student health fee of $315 will be charged to all undergraduates and most Reynolda campus graduate students. On-campus parking fees will jump to $500, up from the previous $325.

Housing costs will rise 2.9 to 10 percent, depending on the type of room.

The Old Gold & Black estimates total cost per average student will exceed $47,000.

To defray rising costs, the university pledges more financial aid, promising that families with annual household income under $40,000 will have to take out no more than $4,000 in student loans.

Construction will begin over the summer to remodel ZSR’s two 24-hour study rooms – one to be converted into a coffeeshop and the other into an updated study space. They plan to complete work by fall.

Some within the administration are exploring bringing a Starbucks to that location.

“There has been discussion, but there has not been a decision made as far as what coffee shop it will be,” said Kevin Cox, assistant vice president for public affairs.

Student government opposes the installation of Starbucks, according to senior Whitney Marshall, SG president.

The advisory board of Campus Grounds, the student-run coffeehouse, believes the move would put them out of business. They will propose that Campus Grounds moves from its current location in Taylor House to the new space in ZSR, Marshall said, and ask for a response from the student body.

“Campus Grounds is willing to do whatever we need to do to cater to students and what faculty and administrators are asking for,” Marshall added. “Whereas Starbucks will have their own requirements you must agree with.”

Plans for a Starbucks to replace Shorty’s were nixed last year after SG and others in the community raised objections.

In another renovation, faculty apartments on Allen Easley Drive will be converted into student housing. Currently, the 10 buildings contain 72 apartments that teachers and staff call home. The move will create extra space both to house more students and provide excess room for potential renovations to dorms.

Long-discussed changes to the Benson University Center food court will also begin in the fall.

One of these will be to add a full-service kitchen for Shorty’s as well as a deli. This change hopes to make Shorty’s more reflective of the original restaurant on the old campus.

New seating and more food options will be brought in during summer 2009.

Enrollment will be increasing as well. The university is considering adding 80 students to next year’s freshman class. The 2008-’09 budget will be drafted on the assumption that the increase will take place.

In addition, the university announced plans to spend more than $25 million on a long-term redevelopment of Deacon Boulevard, transforming it “into an inviting area featuring a village-like layout and atmosphere,” according to a statement. The area will include offices and residential, retail and entertainment spaces. They will cooperate with a private developer, yet to be named.

The university already owns 50 acres of developable land in the vicinity and says it will buy 17 more. More detailed plans will be announced this spring or early summer, according to Nancy Suttenfield, senior vice president and chief financial office. They anticipate a large return on the multi-million dollar investment, “just as we expect from all investments,” Suttenfield said.