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http://www.todaysthv.com/news/article/156362/2/UCA-approves-budget-tuition-increase


CONWAY, Ark. (KTHV) - The University of Central Arkansas Board of Trustees approved a $159 million operating budget for the 2011-12 fiscal year Friday during its meeting.

The budget is a $2.8 million increase from the previous year. State appropriation represents 35.53 percent -- about $56.8 million -- of the total budget revenue, said Diane Newton, vice president of finance and administration. The education and general tuition and fee budget comprises 42.28 percent -- $67.6 million -- of the total budgeted revenue.

The fiscal year 2011-12 budget includes a tuition increase of $5.05 per hour for undergraduate and $6.25 per hour for graduate. This will generate approximately $1.36 million in additional revenue and will be applied toward increases in fixed costs, said Newton.

It equates to a semester increase of $75.75 for an undergraduate student taking 15 hours and $56.25 for a graduate student taking nine hours.

Three fee increases were also approved by trustees. They are:

A 25-cent per hour increase in the student center and recreation fee. The fee has remained at the same level since 1994.
A HPER fee increase of $3.50 per hour, which would generate an additional $800,000 for the university. The funds would be used for the next phase of the fitness center expansion.
A 35-cent per hour fee for the Writing Center and Academic Success Center, which would be used to enhance support services for students to become more effective writers and to hire and train additional tutors for one-on-one tutoring with students. The fee would generate $94,500.
The increases had the support of the Student Government Association, Newton said.

The total for tuition and fees will be $3,591.25 per semester compared to $3,454 last fiscal year.

UCA would be the third highest in overall cost - tuition, fees, room and board - among the other state institutions, Newton said.

Newton reported that the university has continued to improve its finances. UCA had more than $40 million in cash at the end of April compared to $25 million in April 2009.

PS - someone UCA Athletic Dept please get THV a new UCA logo!!!!

Looks like June will be a good hiring month for UCA. Now students can't complain UCA is so expensive considering they are paying the 3rd highest tuition in the state and UCA isn't funded like other schools in the state. Also heard there is a new pool coming to UCA.

The board also approved a new 5 year rollover contract with Meadors with no pay raise at Meador's request. His reasoning - if faculty and staff aren't getting a raise he shouldn't get a raise either. Of course that's easy to say when you're getting paid over $237,00 a year. His car allowance was raised to $1,000 a month. However, employees are just getting 35 cents a mile for UCA business related mileage. Federal govt. allowed 55 cents a mile the last time I checked. Might be higher now with the price of gas being a million dollars a gallon.

You must drive one of those "big" cars, my little Japanese car gets about 32 miles per gallon, so I make $11.40 a gallon and I pay about $4.00, better to net at least $7.50 a gallon than have a car allowance anytime because I don't pay taxes on the per mile reimbursement.

The Board and Administration are doing a good job of getting the University back on track. The athletic programs are now in position to compete with anyone in our conference and in football with any FCS school. With the right coaches (and we have some already), we can compete in any sport.