The University of Texas-Pan American's Cost of Education Committee is putting a new proposal on the table for an increase of designated tuition and fees, but they first need input from students, faculty and staff. The committee will host community forums Nov. 9 and 10 from noon-1 p.m. in the Student Union Theater.

Since 2000, there has been a steady decrease in funding from the state pressuring the University to depend more heavily on designated tuition.

“We have been relying on designated tuition to provide for institutional needs such as faculty salaries and student services,” said Tony Matamoros, cost of education committee liaison. “We must keep up with institutional needs and increasing the tuition and fees will help the University reach its ultimate goals.”

The change in fees would take effect in Fiscal Year 2011-2012. The tuition and fees will be used to hire additional faculty in order to meet the needs of the growing University population of more than 18,000 students and to reduce the student, faculty ratio to 20:1.

“The increase will help us acquire some of the projected 155 faculty members needed,” said Richard Wilson, assistant director of budget. “More funds will still be needed to provide what the University needs in narrowing the student, faculty ratio.”

In addition, the increased tuition and fees will also cover facility costs in order to better facilitate faculty and students in offices and classrooms.

For students, this means there is a projected increase of $150 for 15 semester credit hours and $120 for 12 semester credit hours. UTPA will still maintain one of the lowest costs of attendance in Texas and there are financial set asides available to University students who demonstrate financial need.

“Our co-chair for the cost of education committee, Dr. Edwards, vice president for Enrollment and Student Services, has stressed that while there are increases in tuition and fees, the University has set aside money to offset the increase for students in financial need,” Matamoros said. “One of our best examples is the UTPA Advantage Program.”

The UTPA Advantage Program will pay for all tuition and fee expenses for an academic year if the student meets certain qualifications.

The Cost of Education Committee, made up of 30 students, faculty, staff and community members are encouraging input from the UTPA community and parents about the designated tuition and fees increase.

“It is imperative for students to get involved,” said Rhaguveer Puttagunta, student government association president and co-chair of the Cost of Education Committee. “Our University is growing tremendously and increased fees would provide more faculty, smaller classes and newer facilities, so we really need input to make decisions like these.”

Beginning Oct. 30 there will be an online public forum available to students, faculty and staff at http://www.utpa.edu/coec. In addition to the online forum, the UTPA community is encouraged to attend community forums on Nov. 9 and 10 in the Student Union Theater from noon-1 p.m. Puttagunta will present the preliminary recommendations to those in attendance, followed by a question and answer session to allow participants to voice comments and concerns. There will be one more public forum on the evening of Nov. 11. The location and time are still to be announced.

For more information the Cost of Education Committee and their proposals, visit http://www.utpa.edu/coec.

For more information on the UTPA Advantage Program, visit http://www.utpa.edu/finaid.