Students at all University of Missouri campuses will have to pay more for tuition next year. The UM System Board of Curators approved a plan Thursday to raise in-state tuition by 0.8 percent. The new plan will also raise tuition for non-Missouri residents by three percent at the Columbia, St. Louis, and Rolla campuses.
The plan passed with a 6-to-1 vote. David Steelman, the lone curator who voted against the increase, warned the board that constantly raising tuition could have negative long-term effects.
"As we increase tuition, however much, as we increase fees, however much, we are blurring the distinction between a public and private university," Steelman said.
Another curator, John Phillips, voted to approve the increase, but shared Steelman's sentiment about making college affordable for Missourians.
"I worry that some people don't continue to have a priority of supporting available and accessible public education nationally and in Missouri," Phillips said.
UM system president Tim Wolfe said he's pleased that tuition is increasing at a lower rate than other comparable universities. The UM system has increased tuition over the last five years by an average annual rate of 2.4 percent.
The approved increase will bring tuition to $9,335 for the next academic year. Along with the tuition increase, the board approved new supplemental and enrollment fees for certain schools within each university. The tuition rate change and new fees will officially take effect in the 2015 summer session.
The board also approved a plan to build a new softball stadium at MU. The new $16 million stadium will replace more than 500 parking spots east of the Hearnes Center. It will hold 1,800 seats, three times more than University Field, the current home field of the Mizzou softball team.
The board members, along with MU chancellor R. Bowen Loftin, expect most of the funds for the $16 million project will come from private donors.
"We have pledges in place which, our history suggests, will be fulfilled. We have a strong record of support going forward for this program, so I'm confident [we will receive the funds]," Loftin said.
The new stadium will also have further fences in order to adhere to NCAA regulations. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2016.