THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, April 7, 1995                  TAG: 9504070499
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY PHILIP WALZER, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: NORFOLK                            LENGTH: Medium:   51 lines

ODU BOARD RAISES TUITION FOR UNDERGRADUATES THE 2.7 PERCENT RISE FOR IN-STATE STUDENTS FALLS BELOW THE GOVERNOR'S CEILING.

Old Dominion University is raising tuition and fees 2.7 percent for Virginia undergraduates - the smallest increase in at least five years.

In-state undergraduates will pay $3,990 next school year, and out-of-state undergraduates will pay $10,350, up 4.4 percent.

The total package for an in-state undergraduate - including room and board - will rise 1.8 percent to $8,762 a year.

The fees were approved Thursday by the university's Board of Visitors.

``That seems pretty reasonable,'' sophomore John Walker said. ``I would be troubled by anything over the rate of inflation. This is to be expected. Food is going up, gas is going up.''

Thomas Cross, another sophomore, wasn't as understanding. ``Any increase is unreasonable,'' he said. ``I'm struggling now to pay the tuition.''

David F. Harnage, vice president for administration and finance, said, ``We are trying to keep the cost of attending ODU as affordable as possible.''

After years of large increases, Gov. George F. Allen has required all universities to keep annual tuition increases for in-state undergraduates below 3 percent through 1995-96.

The College of William and Mary is expected to set its rates today.

ODU's board also approved a new master plan for the university, incorporating the administration's proposal to expand to the east side of Hampton Boulevard. The university wants to build a 10,000-seat arena, 1,000 housing units, a fraternity row and academic buildings from 38th to 49th streets.

Harnage said the action will allow administrators to start planning the details. But ``that doesn't mean we're going to run out and buy buildings tomorrow,'' he said.

The plan, which could cost millions of dollars, still must win state and city approval. Harnage said he doubted that any construction would begin for at least two years.

``This is a long-term plan,'' he said. ``It's not something that will happen overnight. Any plan of this magnitude has a life cycle of 10 to 20 years.''

The board also appointed Harnage permanent vice president overseeing finance. He had been acting vice president for the last year. He will be paid $114,000 a year. by CNB