Published January 25, 2008
The University of Wyoming Board of Trustees today (Friday) reviewed a proposal that
would increase mandatory fees for full-time students by 9.13 percent per semester
for fiscal year 2009. Trustees are scheduled to vote on the proposed increases at
their March 6-8 meeting.
Included in the proposal is a $9 increase for intercollegiate athletics -- the first
spike to this fee since 2005-2006 -- plus a $6.70 increase for the Wyoming Union fee
and a $6.08 increase for student services.
If approved, full-time students will pay $400.63 per semester next year, up from $367.10
this year. Part-time students will pay $189.13, a 7.25 percent increase from 2008.
The proposed fee increases will be used to "fund salary increases, maintain the employer
contribution for health insurance premiums and fund a couple of program enhancements,"
said Phill Harris, UW's vice president for administration.
The athletic department earlier submitted a request to increase its fee from $56 to
$64 per semester. The University Fee Committee, however, recommended an additional
$1 to help support Western Thunder, the UW marching band, said Harris.
The proposed fee increase for the Wyoming Union will help fund the addition of two
graduate assistants to help develop a marketing plan and to support additional programming
within the Center for Volunteer Service, said Harris.
The proposed increase in the student services fee will help offset rising operational
costs for the Associated Students of Wyoming (ASUW), Alcohol Wellness Alternatives,
Research and Education (AWARE), Student Leadership and Civic Engagement (SLCE), student
publications and the recycling, wellness and music and theatre programs.
The proposal also includes a rise in fees for student health ($84.75 to $92) and recreation
($50 to $54.50).
The ASUW on Dec. 3 enacted a resolution in support of the proposed fee increases.