UW Trustees Approve Student Fee Increase

March 7, 2008 — The University of Wyoming Board of Trustees today (Friday) approved an increase of slightly more than 9 percent in mandatory fees for full-time students beginning next fall semester.

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.

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 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 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 increased 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.

Fees for student health ($84.75 to $92) and recreation ($50 to $54.50) also were approved.

The ASUW last semester enacted a resolution in support of the fee increases.