By KWMU
Edwardsville, Ill. – Southern Illinois University trustees are considering a tuition increase that would have Edwardsville freshmen pay about $400 more a year.
SIUE guarantees tuition, which means students pay the same rate for four years. That also means the tuition increase would not affect any current students.
The board will take a final vote on the tuition hike in May. At that time, board members might also approve a technology fee for Edwardsville students to help pay to install wireless internet campus-wide.
CARBONDALE PROJECTS
Meanwhile, some students and faculty at SIUs campus in Carbondale are concerned about the school's plan to fund a massive construction project largely through increased student fees.
The proposed "Saluki Way" includes a new $43 million football stadium and $33 million in renovations to the basketball arena.
The administration says most of the cost could be covered by increasing student fees by $243 per student per semester. But critics say the school is putting athletics ahead of affordable education.
SIU President Glenn Poshard says higher fees are necessary because of inadequate public funding.