Tuition Goes Up, But No Surcharge

On March 26, University of Cincinnati trustees approved a 9.5 percent increase in tuition for the next academic year. Increases at UC's two-year colleges will be 6 percent.

Generally, tuition increases are announced in June, when the university's total budget is approved. This year, according to Dale L. McGirr, UC vice president for finance, circumstances call for setting next year's fees early.

"An agreement with the Governor permits all universities to add a surcharge for new students on top of any increase they propose for continuing students," McGirr said. "It is important to notify new students that there will not be a surcharge on new student tuition next year."

The university has taken several steps to hold tuition increases to a minimum in the face of state funding cuts, including university-wide budget cuts, strict limits on new expenditures, and refinancing debt. McGirr told the trustees that UC's tuition increases over the past year have been comparable to other state institutions, and below increases at some institutions.

For the average Ohio resident working toward a bachelor's degree, tuition for the 2002-03 academic year will be $6,936.