Leg Item

Faculty Association	March 4, 2004

ITEM # 1

FA 04-06:

Submitted by the Executive Committee

Out-of-State Tuition for Non-Degree Seeking Florida Citizens
and for Excess Hours Taken by Florida Citizens

The faculty of the University of North Florida strongly urges the UNF Board of Trustees to lobby the Board of Governors . . .

1.	Not to require out-of-state tuition for non-degree seeking students who are citizens of the State of Florida.

2.	Not to require out-of-state tuition for credit hours in excess of 120 (or the required minimum in the degree program) taken by students who are citizens of the State of Florida.

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Background

The Governor's proposed budget includes language that would require Florida citizens to pay out-of-state tuition for any credits taken (1) as a non-degree seeking student or (2) in excess of those required by their degree program. At their January meeting, the Board of Governors tentatively voted to support the Governor's proposal.

Tuition and Fees per Credit Hour for 2003-2004

-	Undergraduate	Graduate
Florida Resident	97.10	208.44
Out-of-State	442.27	742.97

Non-Degree Seeking Students for Fall 2003

	Full-Time	Part-Time
Undergraduate Students	123	484
Graduate Students

Non-degree seeking students include but are not limited to those seeking to maintain professional certification and licensure, learn new skills for new jobs, or further their education as part of a lifetime learning plan. As tax-paying citizens they should not be dissuaded from attending their State universities.

With respect to the 120+ credit rule, there ought to be guidelines designed to discourage students from accumulating an excessive number of credits beyond those needed to meet their educational objectives. However, the American undergraduate experience tells us that (1) many students change their major at least once, if not more than once, (2) it now takes the average undergraduate 5 years to graduate, in stead of 4, (3) some students choose to pursue multiple majors, and (4) others seek a second degree. Universities should have the flexibility to compose policies that would take into account the needs of their students, as well as the needs of the State.