Illinois State University is recommending no tuition increase next year. Room and board and fees would also stay static.
ISU has missed out on more than $80 million in state funding over the last two budget years and has no certainty of anything for the future or of recouping past year allocations. President Larry Dietz says even after all that, the University is strong and stable."It has been these three banner years that has helped us in enrollment, and overall enrollment really drives the fiscal part of any university any more," said Dietz.
Dietz said ISU is projecting a slight decrease in enrollment this fall. He says he zero tuition hike recommendation is good for one year and after that he can make no promises.
Dietz resisted the idea that ISU could cannibalize graduating high school students that would usually head to other Illinois public universities because those institutions may not have as deep pockets as ISU. He said it is a competitive landscape and the institution is "putting its best foot forward" with the proposal.
ISU is trying to appeal to high school grads that out-of-state universities have been attracting in increasing numbers, Dietz said.
"It is important for ISU to send a signal to the public of strength at a time when the atmosphere in Springfield is shaking the faith in the Illinois public higher education system," Dietz said.
Tuition hikes over the last several years have averaged 2 to 2.5 percent.
The cost of tuition, room, board, and fees at ISU will remain about $24,000 if the Board of Trustees accepts the recommendation in May.
