ASUW officially took a stance on student tuition at their weekly meeting Tuesday night.
Highly debated, the senate approved at 15-9 a general overview of student tuition during the second semester of each year, Chris Ryan, ASUW director of governmental affairs, said.
“The stance is that the senate does not support any annual increase policy, that’s not to say the senate doesn’t support any increase as a whole,” he said.
The UW Board of Trustees recently discussed a yearly tuition increase starting at four percent. ASUW is recommending the trustees compare expenses and student tuition yearly, adjusting the funding accordingly, Ryan said.
“We want a complete overhaul review every year, which is basically what it is now,” he said.
Some debates consisted of opposition to any tuition increase, Ryan said. Out-of-state students have experienced an average of a five percent tuition increase in the past 10 years, he said, adding the average for in-state students is 2.5 percent.
“Last year, everyone thought it was a big, huge controversy in a raise in tuition, but it wasn’t – it happens every year,” Ryan said.
Another argument was that a set tuition increase could simplify the system, he said, adding students could plan a four-year budget accordingly, and the trustees could avoid a yearly tuition controversy.
ASUW President Ahmed Balogun will present ASUW’s recommendation to the trustees during their meeting continuing today through Friday, Ryan said, adding there is an open forum at the new Gateway Center at 11:30 a.m. where students can pitch their opinions.
“Anyone who has an opinion should come and express that to the Board of Trustees,” he said.
Other issues presented at Tuesday’s ASUW meeting include:
– Funding was awarded to finish development of the “Student Memorial Plaza,” which will be constructed between Half Acre and Prexy’s Pasture. The plaza has been in planning stages for three years, Ryan said.
– RSO asset storage locker funding was approved. They will be administered by ASUW and installed by the Union, Ryan said, adding ASUW will rent the lockers to any RSOs in need of storage for larger objects.
– No RSO funding board requests were made at the Tuesday meeting, Ryan said.
– The next ASUW meeting will convene on Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. in the Union Senate Chambers.
