THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, April 13, 1996 TAG: 9604130330
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ADAM BERNSTEIN AND PHILIP WALZER, STAFF WRITERS
LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
University of Virginia board members Friday approved the smallest increase in tuition, fees and room and board in at least 25 years, U.Va. officials said.
The annual tuition-and-fee total will increase 0.7 percent, from $4,614 to $4,648, for in-state undergraduates. Old Dominion University also announced a 0.7 percent tuition-and-fee increase Thursday.
At the College of William and Mary Friday, board members also approved a minimal increase in tuition and fees for in-state undergraduates - a 1 percent increase, from $4,712 to $4,758.
The universities' actions follow the General Assembly's mandate that colleges not increase tuition for Virginia undergraduates in the next two years. Legislators, however, did not limit increases for fees, room and board or tuition for graduate and out-of-state students.
Tuition and fees for out-of-state undergraduates will increase 3.1 percent at U.Va. - from $14,006 to $14,434 - and 2.5 percent at W & M - from $12,580 to $12,900.
For U.Va.'s in-state undergraduates, the total package - including room and board - will rise 1.8 percent, to $8,610. At William and Mary, that number will go up 2.9 percent, to $9,376.
``Over the years, we've tried to keep room and board very competitive because the tuition is very high,'' said Leonard W. Sandridge Jr., U.Va.'s executive vice president. ``But we know parents look at the entire package.''
Elaine and Mike Burgess of Midlothian were touring the campus Friday with their son, Derek, a prospective student. They also liked what the board did.
``Compared to what some of the other schools are charging, and it's gotten to about $30,000 out of state, it's a good value,'' Mike Burgess said.
At William and Mary, the fee increase will mostly be used for $3.7 million in improvements to the campus' technology and computer system.
``We expect the educational experience of all our students to be profoundly affected,'' said the college's provost, Gillian Cell.
``We will see much greater use of the computer in course work both inside and outside of the classroom. The college will have its own video channels, for example, which will enable faculty to show films outside of class, and use the time in class for discussion.''
At U.Va., law and business school students will pay surcharges, in addition to the usual tuition and fees, to help raise money for both professional schools.
Annual tuition and fees for first-year in-state law students will go up 2.5 percent, to $8,180. In addition, they will pay a $3,000 surcharge.
For Virginians in the Darden Graduate Business School, tuition and fees will also rise 2.5 percent, to $9,448. First-time business students will pay an additional $1,500 surcharge.
KEYWORDS: TUITION INCREASE COLLEGES UNIVERSITIES by CNB