The Wayne State University (WSU) Board of Governors approved a 2003 General Fund Budget of $411 million at its regular meeting July 31. The budget includes an anticipated state appropriation of $253.9 million and a $425 increase in undergraduate tuition.

For Fiscal Year 2003, Wayne State University, like all other Michigan public universities, will receive no increase in its state appropriation. Rather, the higher education appropriation bill signed by Governor John Engler on April 1, 2002 provides for a continuation of the 2002 state funding allocation of $253.9 million into 2003. It also provides that increases in resident undergraduate tuition and fees must be limited to either 8.5 percent or $425, whichever is greater.

Wayne State's total expenditures for 2003 will increase $18.4 million over the current year. A significant portion of the projected increases represents compensation increases, fringe benefits, utilities and building operations costs, research incentives and academic program funding.

According to Wayne State University Provost Charles Bantz, an increase in tuition and fees is unavoidable. "We are facing major challenges on several fronts this fiscal year that reflect both the slowing economy of Michigan and rising costs associated with higher education. Fortunately, Governor Engler recommended maintaining level state support for Michigan universities, however, a second consecutive year of constrained funding places the university in the position of making some very difficult fiscal decisions. There are many critical needs - most of which are non-discretionary and governed by contractual agreement," said Bantz.

For fiscal year 2002-2003, recommended increases include: $425 for undergraduate students, 15 percent for graduate students, and an increase in omnibus and registration fees of 9.1 percent.

Beginning fall term 2002, tuition for the basic pharmacy degree, the Pharm.D. degree, will be $8,900 per year for new, entering students who are Michigan residents. This new differential rate reflects a restructuring of the program as mandated by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE) providing for an expanded set of course requirements for pharmacy students. Pharmacy programs throughout the United States have begun changing educational requirements for pharmacists that meet new, higher accreditation standards of the ACPE.

For the academic year, the new tuition rates amount to an increase of $425 for full-time Michigan resident undergraduates and $274 for part-time Michigan undergraduate students taking nine credit hours per semester.

Per credit hour rates for Michigan resident freshmen and sophomores will rise from $129.60 to $141.40. For juniors, seniors and post-bachelors, tuition will increase from $152.90 to $166.80 and graduate students from $207.70 to $238.90.

During the current academic year, Wayne State's full-time lower division students paid $4330 in tuition and fees, which ranked the university 12th among the 15 public universities. That rate compared to $6935 at the University of Michigan, $5667 at Michigan State University and $5070 at Ferris State University.

Wayne State's graduate and professional tuition and fees are traditionally well below rates at many of its peer institutions. In the current fiscal year 2002, for example, WSU graduate school masters program (24 credit hours) rates were $5566 -- less than half the rate of the University of Michigan $11,523 and below Michigan State University, the University of Michigan-Dearborn, Oakland University, Eastern Michigan, Michigan Technological University and Ferris State University.

The process of recommending a budget for 2003 was the result of an extensive review. The university budget review committee, which includes academic senate representatives, worked for several months. "Following our ongoing strategy of recommending cost reductions, we developed a plan that calls for cuts in several areas throughout the university as well as a reordering of priorities and reallocated resources," stated Bantz.

"We are confident in our resolve to meet these fiscal challenges while continuing to deliver a world-class education and conducting world-class research," added Bantz.