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WKU Regents Approve Tuition
Bowling Green, Ky. - The Western Kentucky University Board of Regents has approved a long-term tuition policy that will offer future students a hedge against possible future tuition increases.
On Wednesday the Board also gave the university authorization to proceed with a plan to consolidate some fraternity housing into a Greek village. The tuition policy will allow students to prepay up to four years of tuition and lock that tuition into a set rate. Students have that option through the 2007-08 academic year and the Board's action extends that option, ensuring that a four-year tuition schedule be available to any first-time, full-time freshman participating in the Tuition Prepayment Plan. The prepayment amount will be based on the tuition rate for the first year with 5 percent increases for each year following, regardless of the actual tuition set by the board. Payment for tuition beyond the first year will be placed in a Tuition Reserve Fund and interest from the fund will be used to cover any tuition increases above the 5 percent. "Through its commitment to service to students and parents, WKU is taking action to create a way for incoming students to avoid significant tuition increases in the future," WKU President Gary Ransdell said. The Board also gave the University authorization to transfer property to several Greek organizations to start a Greek village. The property is located between 14th and 15th avenues and adjacent to Center Street. Greek organizations would build chapter houses on the property, subject to certain restrictions. Gene Tice, vice president for Student Affairs and Campus Services, said the Greek village would replace existing off-campus Greek houses in the Bowling Green community that are out-dated and in need of major repairs. He added this would be the first phase of a longer-term project and would involve five fraternity houses. The Greek village is being designed in conjunction with the City of Bowling Green's proposed realignment of 14th Avenue. There will be an exchange of property between Western and the city to make both proposals work, Dr. Ransdell said. The Board action means the University will move forward with paperwork to transfer the lots to the participating fraternities. The actual transfers will be brought before the Board at a later meeting. In other business, the Board: · Approved a new program in computer information technology. The program is designed primarily for students transferring from the Kentucky Community and Technical College System and other community colleges in the region. · Approved the creation of The Center for Leadership Excellence. The Center will focus on education, training and research/development to enhance currently existing leadership programs. · Approved the sale of property at 1425 State St. to Jim Skaggs for $175,000. · Approved the purchase of property at 1818 U.S. 31W By-Pass housing the ALIVE Center for $207,500. The $175,000 from the State Street property and funds from indirect costs associated with ALIVE Center grants will fund the purchase. Grant money currently used to pay rent on the property can then be used for programming. · Approved naming room 1504 in E.A. Diddle Arena the Captain Charles F. Thomas Room of Honor. Thomas was a 1968 WKU graduate who was killed in Viet Nam in April 1971. The room will recognize all WKU military service members killed in action. · Awarded emeritus status to retired faculty members Walter Stomps in Art and Raul Padilla in Modern Languages and Intercultural Studies. More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you'd like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.
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