Eastern Kentucky University's Board of Regents has put its stamp of approval on new rates for tuition and room and board. Monday's board meeting followed action by a state governing agency.
EKU's Board of Regents OK’d a two-point-nine percent tuition rate hike for resident undergraduates. The State Council on Postsecondary Education gave its approval to Eastern's rate last week. It's something EKU Vice President for Finance and Administration Barry Poynter says is not that unusual, "Sometimes meetings and timings don't always work out, but it's been this way a few times before.”
EKU President Michael Benson says national trends indicate tuition rates are beginning to plateau. He calls that a good sign, but adds there have been cuts in federal student grants and loans. The board also approved an approximate three-percent increase in meal plan costs and five-percent more in resident hall rates. Benson says the new rates fall in line with efforts to upgrade housing on the Richmond campus. "The fact is we have, as you know, aging infrastructure with our beds,” said Benson. “And we're trying our best to replenish that inventory. It may be a little bit more expensive in the short term. In the longer term, older buildings cost more to operate," he added.
Benson says tuition at Eastern's Model laboratory school did not increase. The board also confirmed the selection of Lieutenant Governor Crit Luallen as this year's spring commencement speaker on May 15th. ?
