Trojan2003
05-15-2007, 07:28 PM
Troy to raise tuition, admission standards
By Matt Clower, The Messenger
MONTGOMERY - The Troy University Board of Trustees voted on Thursday to raise tuition by 4 percent and increase admission standards for the first time in more than 20 years.
Last year, Troy University began the new academic year without a tuition increase for the first time in more than three decades. But anyone hoping for a repeat is out of luck following the trustees' unanimous vote during a meeting at the Montgomery campus.
The hike will increase tuition to $4,164 a year. Currently, Troy University has the lowest tuition among public four-year institutions in the state. University officials say they'll still be the cheapest if all public institutions have at least 4 percent increases for upcoming academic year.
Chancellor Jack Hawkins Jr. said the increase is being prompted by additional costs of about $12 million anticipated for the upcoming year.
The additional costs include everything from new technology and programs to raises for faculty and staff.
The university expects to receive $10 million in state funding next year. Hawkins said the raise in tuition should cover the difference.
“We wanted to go with the very least amount possible,” Hawkins said. “It amounts to about $80 more a semester and should still leave as the lowest in the state of Alabama.”
The board also voted to increase undergraduate admission requirements for the first time since 1984.
The new standards raise the current minimum test scores of 18 on the ACT, or 870 on the SAT, to 19 on the ACT, or 910 on the SAT.
For conditional admission, the new standards are 16-18 on the ACT, or 780-900 on the SAT. Previously, students with as low as 15 on the ACT, or 740 on the SAT, could be admitted conditionally.
The new standards will exclude many students who would have been admitted conditionally to the school, Hawkins said.
“Some people who previously would have gotten into the school would have not,” Hawkins said. But he also said the rate of attrition is much higher for conditionally admitted students.
School officials hope that tightening the admission standards also will improve retention. Currently, Troy University is at about 74 percent student retention, but it hopes to reach 80 percent.
“In order for us to reach our retention goal, we are going to have to win at every ACT level,” said dean of enrollment Buddy Starling. “Given the data, we realized we were not going at every level where we were.”
Higher standards of admission should bring in students with a “higher opportunity for success,” Starling said.
Troy's new admissions standards are still behind other four-year institutions in the state, such as Auburn, which now requires a 21 on the ACT.
Dr. John Schmidt, senior vice chancellor of student services, said he foresees the university continuing to evaluate its admission standards slowly over the next few years,
“What I see is a gradual, stair-step increase,” Schmidt said. “We still want to be accessible and affordable for our students.”
In other business, the board voted to approve a $13-million bond issue that will pay for the construction of a new College of Education Building.
The board also approved renewing the dining services contract with Sodexho Campus Services for another seven years.
By Matt Clower, The Messenger
MONTGOMERY - The Troy University Board of Trustees voted on Thursday to raise tuition by 4 percent and increase admission standards for the first time in more than 20 years.
Last year, Troy University began the new academic year without a tuition increase for the first time in more than three decades. But anyone hoping for a repeat is out of luck following the trustees' unanimous vote during a meeting at the Montgomery campus.
The hike will increase tuition to $4,164 a year. Currently, Troy University has the lowest tuition among public four-year institutions in the state. University officials say they'll still be the cheapest if all public institutions have at least 4 percent increases for upcoming academic year.
Chancellor Jack Hawkins Jr. said the increase is being prompted by additional costs of about $12 million anticipated for the upcoming year.
The additional costs include everything from new technology and programs to raises for faculty and staff.
The university expects to receive $10 million in state funding next year. Hawkins said the raise in tuition should cover the difference.
“We wanted to go with the very least amount possible,” Hawkins said. “It amounts to about $80 more a semester and should still leave as the lowest in the state of Alabama.”
The board also voted to increase undergraduate admission requirements for the first time since 1984.
The new standards raise the current minimum test scores of 18 on the ACT, or 870 on the SAT, to 19 on the ACT, or 910 on the SAT.
For conditional admission, the new standards are 16-18 on the ACT, or 780-900 on the SAT. Previously, students with as low as 15 on the ACT, or 740 on the SAT, could be admitted conditionally.
The new standards will exclude many students who would have been admitted conditionally to the school, Hawkins said.
“Some people who previously would have gotten into the school would have not,” Hawkins said. But he also said the rate of attrition is much higher for conditionally admitted students.
School officials hope that tightening the admission standards also will improve retention. Currently, Troy University is at about 74 percent student retention, but it hopes to reach 80 percent.
“In order for us to reach our retention goal, we are going to have to win at every ACT level,” said dean of enrollment Buddy Starling. “Given the data, we realized we were not going at every level where we were.”
Higher standards of admission should bring in students with a “higher opportunity for success,” Starling said.
Troy's new admissions standards are still behind other four-year institutions in the state, such as Auburn, which now requires a 21 on the ACT.
Dr. John Schmidt, senior vice chancellor of student services, said he foresees the university continuing to evaluate its admission standards slowly over the next few years,
“What I see is a gradual, stair-step increase,” Schmidt said. “We still want to be accessible and affordable for our students.”
In other business, the board voted to approve a $13-million bond issue that will pay for the construction of a new College of Education Building.
The board also approved renewing the dining services contract with Sodexho Campus Services for another seven years.