TAMIU Schedules Student Fee Hearings Nov. 16, 17 and 21
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Nov 15, 2011, 0 Comments
Courtesy Steve Harmon,
Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) officials are encouraging students to attend student feehearings to learn about proposed fee changes for the 2012-13 school year.
Hearings are scheduled Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 5 p.m. and Thursday, Nov. 17 at 11 a.m. and Monday, Nov. 21 at 12 noon, all in the Student Center Rotunda.
Proposed fees would include increases in compulsory fees like designated tuition, energy, health, student services and technology fees.
If approved by The Texas A&M University System’s Board of Regents, changes would take effect Fall 2012.
TAMIU president Dr. Ray Keck said the decision to proceed with the proposed fee increases is difficult.
“We find ourselves in a financial position that is simply not sustainable. Since 2005, the University has grown 64%. The Legislature’s decision to cut TAMIU’s budget by 18 percent: a staggering $9.2 million, has had a swift and lasting impact. Despite valiant efforts by our legislative team of Sen. Zaffirini, Rep. Guillen and Rep. Peña Raymond, these cuts were sustained and all our operations heavily impacted. Class sizes have grown, the frequency of their offer reduced, faculty loads have increased and travel, salary increases, and new hiring have beenfrozen. Reductions in force have occurred and further reductions may be needed.
“We are in peril of being unable to provide our students with the quality, quantity and accessibility of services to which they are entitled. As the Legislature has provided no additional revenue sources, our only avenue to sustain the University’s growth and provide the higher educational experience students deserve is through fee increases. This decision has been among the most difficult I’ve faced as president of the University. The last thing that I want to do is raise tuition or fees, but as a State agency we have few options to restore funding. There is no taxing district for this University, no locally provided entitlement, no Permanent University Fund,” Keck noted.
“It’s especially troubling when our growth has been noted by the Chronicle of Higher Education, the magazine Diverse Issues in Higher Education has recognized us as one of the nation’s top degree producers for Hispanics and CNN has featured our affordability. If we are to continue our mission of service to Laredo, our region and beyond, we have no other options available,” he concluded.
For additional information, contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 326.2180, e-mail pr***@ta***.edu " target="_blank"> pr***@ta***.edu or visit tamiu.edu
University information on the fee hearings is also posted on Uconnect, the University’s official student communication portal, as well as TAMIU’s Facebook and Twitter sites.
