Trustees introduce new member, confirm tuition freeze at June meetings

The+University+of+Alabama+Board+of+Trustees+passed+systemwide+resolutions+regarding+tuition+rates+and+renovations+at+the+June+6+and+7+meetings.

Joe Will Field

The University of Alabama Board of Trustees passed systemwide resolutions regarding tuition rates and renovations at the June 6 and 7 meetings.

Rylie Curry, Staff Reporter

In addition to Friday’s decision to return $21.5 million back to the University’s former top donor, the University of Alabama Board of Trustees presented more resolutions affecting the UA System, ranging from tuition rates to structural and systemic upgrades.

These motions occurred at the Board of Trustees meetings on Thursday, June 6 and Friday, June 7.

On Thursday, the financial chiefs for the three University of Alabama institutions presented a proposal that would increase tuition for out-of-state students by 3% to 3.5% while tuition rates would remain the same for full-time in-state students. For in-state UA law students, rates will remain at $11,805 per semester, while rates will remain at $5,390 per semester for in-state UA undergraduate and graduate students.

Plans for an in-state tuition freeze were first announced in April. The proposal also included budget plans for the upcoming year, including increased spending for insurance and benefits costs, new faculty and research.

“For the first time in over 40 years, all three of our campuses will have no tuition increase for Alabama residents,” UA System Chancellor Finis St. John said in his remarks at the University of Alabama-Huntsville Institutional Board meeting on April 12, according to a press release from the UA System.

In addition, the trustees voted to elect Evelyn VanSant Mauldin to fill the open seat representing District Four. The position was previously held by St. John, who was elected as the Chancellor in April. Mauldin is from Florence and a graduate of the UA law school and will serve six years beginning in September of this year.

During the meeting, the board also discussed new undergraduate and graduate programs, amendments to the plans to renovate Bryant Denny Stadium and the creation and implementation of an integrated mail management system at the University.

The Crimson White is currently looking into how the sports world will be affected by the new changes implemented by these meetings. Stay tuned for more coverage.