West Virginia University’s Board of Governors on Friday (April 21) voted to raise tuition on the main campus by 7.5 percent for both in- and out-of-state students to help build the faculty and improve facilities.

For Potomac State College of WVU students, the increase will be 6.27 percent for residents and 2.46 and 2.53 percent, respectively, for out-of-state associate and bachelor’s degree students.

In outlining the plan, Provost Gerald Lang said the increases are necessary to help meet WVU ’s current and future needs.

University officials had been anticipating an increase in state revenues of about 2 percent, Lang explained. And while the institution did receive some increases, all were for designated purposessuch as fully funding last year’s salary increase and mandated faculty increment payand not available for goals identified in WVU ’s strategic plan.

Our strategic plan calls for raises of approximately 3 percent in order to recruit and retain quality faculty and staff,he said.It also outlines adding some key faculty and staff in certain areas to keep up with our growing enrollment.

We also want to continue on the path of improving our facilities,Lang added, citing a new residence hall slated for fall, a recently added agricultural sciences facility and current renovations to three older academic buildingsBrooks, Colson and Oglebay halls.In order to continue delivering a quality education with quality people and facilities, adjustments to the budget were necessary.

And while WVU ’s tuition is increasing, in-state tuition is still lower than that of most of WVU ’s designated peer group, keeping WVU competitively priced, Lang said.

While our actions should not be determined by what others do, it provides a glimpse at how other state institutions also have to raise tuition and fees to deal with limited state appropriations,he said.The cost of higher education is truly being transferred from the state to the individual.

Specifically, the increase for WVU students will amount to $156, or $2,238 per semester, for resident undergraduates and $483, or $6,920 per semester, for nonresident undergraduates.

Increases for graduate students will also rise by 7.5 percent, or $172 ($2,463) per semester, for resident students and $498 ($7,139) per semester for out-of-state students.

At the Keyser campus, the increase will be $73 per semester for in-state associate degree students, $91 for in-state bachelor’s degree students, $97 for out-of-state associate degree students and $107 for out-of-state bachelor’s degree students.

WVU ’s request also includes fee increases for some specific programs and labs; a special institutional capital fee; an auxiliary fee increase of $5 to support the athletic program; and a new off-campus fee of $50 per credit hour for Study Abroad programs.

The board also approved housing increases of about 4.5 percent for WVU ’s main campus and 6 percent for Potomac State .

The fee package, which goes into effect this fall, will now be sent to the Higher Education Policy Commission as a matter of information.

Tuition and fees at WVU ’s regional campuses, WVU Institute of Technology and WVU Parkersburg, were approved by the board earlier this month.

Student code of conduct policy

The board also approved a new student code of conduct policy to take effect the fall semester.

A committee of students, faculty and administrators met for almost an entire academic year in developing the new policy, and then sought public input last fall. Comments were considered and discussed, and modifications were made to the policy based on the discussions.

The new student code of conduct is in accordance withThe Model Student Code of Conductauthored by Edward Stoner and John Lowery. Both are distinguished members of the Association of Student Judicial Affairs and attorneys who specialize in higher education law and the practice of student judicial affairs.

Many colleges across the country are usingThe Model Student Code of Conduct’to revise their codes of conduct,said David Stewart, dean of students at WVU .

It’s the foremost model in the area of student judicial affairs.

The new code of conduct is more user-friendly, more clearly defines jurisdictional authority in how the University will respond to misconduct on and off campus, and streamlines the appeal process, Stewart said.

This new code of conduct is designed to outline the expectations and responsibilities required of students as members of the University community,Stewart said.

Other business

In other matters, the board heard an update from Dave Miller, special assistant to the president for external relations, on legislation passed by the 2006 West Virginia Legislature which affects WVU and the regional campuses.

House Bill 4690 makes WVU Institute of Technology a division of WVU , effective July 1, 2007. The panel reviewed a number of provisions and timelines associated with the legislation and was briefed on efforts already under way toward implementing the changes.

The board also heard annual reports from Beverly Jo Harris, president of the Community and Technical College at WVU Tech, and BOG student representative D.J. Casto.

Morgantown Mayor Ron Justice, former Mayor Frank Scafella and City Manager Dan Boroff addressed the panel regarding some of the economic development activities and planning currently under way in the city.

The BOG also approved:

• Revisions to the financing plan and budgets for capital projects previously approved

• Transfer of $5.9 million in HEPC bond funds from the Engineering Sciences Building brick faade project and the downtown infrastructure project to the Allen/Percival Hall abatement project and Brooks Hall renovation project

The next BOG meeting is set for June 2 in Charleston.