Appalachian State University’s Board of Trustees approved in-state and out-of-state tuition increases Dec. 14.
The proposal calls for a 6.5 percent in-state tuition increase and a 2.5 percent out-of-state tuition increase.
The proposal accounted for $198,219 for three advisors for the athletic department, money SGA President Jake Cox wanted to be used to keep the campus’s library open 24 hours a day during the five-day work week.
Cox was the only member of the board to vote against the tuition and fees proposal.
“My goal was to make a point that a conversation needed to be had, and I believe that point was heard and it was actually reciprocated by some of the other Board of Trustees members,” Cox said.
Cox said he is writing a letter to Board of Trustees Chair Michael Steinback making a recommendation for a designated period during the retreat to discuss the 24-hour library.
“Even though it failed, I don’t want to call this a loss,” Cox said.
Cox believes that the 24-hour library is still a possibility for next year, he said.
The proposal had passed over the chancellor’s desk for recommendation to the board.
“One thing that I did experience was a lot of board members were confused on why the three athletic advisors was supported, but in the end they did support it because they felt that this was something that was passed by a committee that had done research on it and was backed by the chancellor,” Cox said. “They put their trust in Chancellor Peacock.”
Vice Chancellor of Business Affairs Greg Lovins said that while they administration tries to keep costs as low as they can, the increase was “necessary to maintain Appalachian’s high level of quality.”
Lovins said that no one likes to see tuition and fees increase.
“We do not like the notion of increasing tuition, but we have to be concerned about maintaining the quality of the educational experience we provide to our students,” said Vice Provost for Resource Management Timothy Burwell in an article published Oct. 22.
The proposal will go to be approved by the Board of Governors and then to the General Assembly for final approval of the requested funds.
Story: JOSHUA FARMER, News Editor