President James Votruba is keeping the promise he made to the Student Government Association to make this year’s tuition hike below 10 percent. It is the first time in five years that Northern Kentucky University has had a single-digit tuition increase.

Votruba told SGA in Fall 2005 that NKU would implement a single-digit increase and followed through by suggesting a 9.6 percent increase for the 2006-2007 academic year.

Votruba warned students against only considering the percent increase, saying dollar amounts might be better indicators when comparing NKU’s tuition with that of area colleges.

“Students don’t spend percents; they spend dollars,” Votruba said. “NKU might be increasing tuition 9.6 percent while other colleges are only increasing by 5 percent, but our tuition will still be far lower,” he said.

For full-time resident undergraduate students, the 9.6 percent increase means paying $240 more each semester. In contrast, if Xavier University increased its tuition by only 5 percent, the dollar increase would be $546 more per semester.

“We are very excited that Votruba kept his promise to us in regards to a single-digit tuition increase,” said Jeff Fox, SGA vice president of public relations. “I think that Votruba takes the student body at NKU seriously and he sees us as the representatives of the students.”

The highest amount NKU could increase tuition by is 10.8 percent – the cap set for all Kentucky state universities by the Council of Public Education.

“By not increasing tuition by the full amount, we will be missing out on about $300,000,” Votruba said. “There’s a lot we can do with $300,000, but I think it’s important to keep the promise the administration made.”

Although parking fees were not increased last year, a $50 increase is proposed for the 2006-2007 year. “I hate to bring this (to students and faculty), but it’s the only resource we have,” said Ken Ramey, vice president of administration and finance. “This increase will ensure there are no parking fees for any garages.” Ramey said NKU is running out of surface parking and necessity forces the university to build up rather than out. “The state won’t fund garages and they’re very, very expensive,” he said. Housing fees may increase an average of 3.2 percent and suggested Meal Plan increases range from 3.5 to 3.7 percent, depending on the type of plan. All tuition and fee increases are being proposed at the March 22 Board of Regents meeting and will be voted on in May.