Clemson to increase fees, cut budgets for 2008-09

Clemson University’s board of trustees approved a general tuition increase of 5.5 percent for in-state students — $271 per semester — and 7.5 percent for out-of-state students, which adds $816 per semester.

Even with the fee increase, Clemson will have to implement internal budget cuts, reallocations and efficiency measures totaling nearly $12 million to help offset state funding cuts, support economic development initiatives and absorb rising energy bills and other mandatory cost increases. Clemson’s educational and general budget lost more than $13 million to a 3 percent state budget cut, inflation, mandatory state pay raises and fringe benefit increases.

The board also approved a student request to restructure the university’s current information technology fee. The $50 per semester fee will be eliminated for freshmen, who have the added cost of purchasing a laptop computer, and raised to $115 per semester for other students. The fee increase will provide additional technology services and support.

The tuition increase will generate approximately $10.9 million, which will help offset state budget cuts and provide for investments in academic programs and student services, such as new faculty positions, security systems, information technology and facilities — including an on-campus information technology support center and a life sciences complex. The combination of fees and budget cuts means the total educational and general budget increase will be less than the higher education rate of inflation.

“This is a very challenging year, but we intend to continue to increase academic quality and provide exceptional value to our students and the state,” said Clemson President James F. Barker. “We believe that this strategy is sensitive to affordability and ensures the level of quality that families expect from Clemson.”