Tuition is expected to rise 10 percent to off-set millions of dollars in new cuts from the state government, according to University Pres. Nick Bruno.
Despite the tuition increase, the University is still looking at around $2.5 million in reductions and mandated costs. The figure is based on preliminary numbers of a state budget committee and could still change before the legislative session ends.
The University currently estimates a full-time Louisiana resident will pay $5,100 for the 2012/2013 school year, but that number will likely change at the end of the spring to reflect the increase.
“At this point, failure to [raise tuition] would be suicide,” Bruno said.
Of the $2.5 million, about $2.2 comes from less funding and about $300,000 comes from rising costs in healthcare and retirement.
Bruno said he is against across the board cuts. He has tasked college deans with isolating areas where cuts can be made because they best know which programs need trimming and which programs need nurturing.
“I want this to be as inclusive as we can be,” said Bruno. “I should not be telling deans where to make the cuts.”
He will, however, be telling them how much they will need to cut. Individual amounts for how much each of the five colleges will lose are not yet available because the final cut amounts are not available.
The College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Pharmacy have the largest budgets. Bruno said Pharmacy will likely not be cut because of state mandates and requirements, but he said the college will be asked to find ways to increase revenues.
In addition to deans looking for savings, Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs Eric Pani will be looking for other savings in academic areas not reporting to deans. Vice presidents in other areas will also be looking within their departments for savings.
Once colleges have made their cut proposals, the vice presidents, Bruno and the chief business officer, Diane Singletary, will review the plans and make edits.
Faculty and staff senates will then be asked for feedback, and then final cuts will be made.
Bruno urged the campus to “remain positive and upbeat” through the cutting process.
“We have to come out of this sooner or later,” Bruno said. “My hope is that we’ll have one year without mid-year cuts.”
Final cut amounts are expected in May or early June.