BOISE - The Idaho State Board of Education approved student fees for the 2004 to 2005 academic year with increases ranging from 6 to 8.5 percent, depending upon the institution.
The Board discussed this issue for more than two hours, hearing testimony from student body presidents and administrators from Idaho's colleges and universities. The Board approved the increases for full-time residential students as recommended by the institutions, with the exception of University of Idaho and Lewis Clark State College. The Board passed an 8.5 increase in fees for those two institutions. The University of Idaho had requested a 9.92 percent increase and Lewis Clark State College asked for a 10 percent increase.
Fees for full-time residential students will increase by 8.27 percent at Boise State University; 5.98 percent at Eastern Idaho Technical College; and 7.31 percent at Idaho State University.
"The State Board is cognizant of the burden increased tuition places on students. At the same time, however, costs continue to go up at our higher education institutions. The increase approved today were requested by the universities to keep valuable programs operating," said Blake Hall, State Board of Education President.
The State Board also unanimously approved a $5 million student services center at Boise State University, with an annual bond payment of $350,000. The 20,000 square foot facility will provide a "one- stop-shop" for student services. BSU officials said student support services would be consolidated in a convenient location. The building will be paid for using BSU's current operating budget, revenue increases and bond system savings. The Board scheduled a February 5 special meeting to approve a BSU bond offering for this building and previously approved Interactive Learning Center, Bronco Stadium health and safety improvements and the energy conservation project.
The Board also established a process for the distribution of all federal education funds. The process involves the State Board setting strategic goals for education and the State Department of Education is then responsible for developing plans consistent with the Board's strategic goals. This process preserves the Board's role as an oversight body and the State Department as the body that implements policy and law.
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