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July 2003

Board approves budget, raises tuition, parking and housing fees

The UNF Board of Trustees has approved the University’s new budget, which includes higher tuition and parking fees for this fiscal year and higher housing fees for next fiscal year.

The board approved a $180 million total operating budget that includes a $1.4 million cut in general revenue from the state. The budget also includes a 2 percent salary increase for all employees with a minimum of $500 and a maximum of $1,400 as set forth by the Legislature.

The raises were provided by state funds and are effective in December. Those raises, however, are expected to be offset, at least in part, by anticipated increases in health insurance premiums.

The net result of the state’s allocations to UNF, including estimated revenue for raises and increased tuition revenue, is an estimated $1.4 million increase to the University’s base budget.

The University also received $4 million in PECO funding. About $2 million will be devoted to infrastructure improvements and $2 million to begin planning for the renovation or replacement of the Social Sciences Building, which has had a history of mold problems that forced the closure of the second floor. The University had requested $17.5 million in PECO funding this fiscal year.

Major initiatives funded in the new budget include maintaining adequate reserves ($1.1 million); increasing financial aid ($214,000); funding for computer systems to replace state systems known as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) ($3.9 million); subsidy for the Fine Arts Center ($400,000); administrative transition costs ($584,000, which includes salaries for interim replacements for library director and Coggin College of Business dean, as well as a new provost and new president); Robinson Student Life Center renovations ($605,000); Science & Engineering Building ($241,000); and summer school funding ($450,000).

The board also authorized in-state undergraduate tuition rates to be raised an additional 8.5 percent as mandated by the Legislature. The board also approved a 15 percent tuition increase for in-state graduate students. Out-of-state students will pay 15.2 percent more for undergraduate courses and 17.2 percent more for graduate courses.

For full-time (15 credit hours) in-state undergraduate students, which constitute nearly 70 percent of UNF’s enrollment, the increase will add about $150 per year to their tuition bills. For full-time (9 credit hours) in-state graduate students, the increase amounts to about $400 per year.

Parking fees also were increased by the board in most categories. The board approved a recommendation of the Parking Committee for about a 12
percent increase in parking decals for this fiscal year. The increase was needed primarily to meet the debt service for the existing parking garages and to anticipate revenue needed for the construction of new garages.

The general parking rate will go up $13 per year to $118 annually. This covers more than 90 percent of all University parking permit holders.

However, bargain hunters can get an annual economy parking decal for $15, a reduction of 50 percent from the previous year, which allows them to park in Lot 14 near the UNF Police Department or the new north lot behind the athletic complex.
The board also approved increases in housing rental rates for the 2004-05
academic year averaging 4.9 percent based on double occupancy. The actual increases vary depending on the residence hall.

At Osprey Hall, for example, the rate will increase $75 to $1,450, while rates will increase $95 to $1,810 at Osprey Landing. Earlier this year, the board approved increases in housing rates for 2003-04 academic year that averaged 5.1 percent.