The Red and Black

Issue date: 4/17/09 Section: Opinions

KATIE BARLOW

The decisions made by the Board of Regents on Tuesday afternoon left us students with many unanswered questions. After learning information from the BOR, administrators, faculty and staff, we will give you what we have to the best of our knowledge in hopes that it lessens the confusion and eases the fear. Some of the most pressing questions are:

1. What does it mean for the students currently on the Guaranteed Tuition Plan?

Nothing changes. Your tuition will remain locked. You will not be required to take 15 hours to be considered a full time student.

The Guaranteed Tuition Plan applies for 12 consecutive semesters, including summers, to those who enrolled in the University in either fall 2006, 2007 or 2008.

2. Will this affect my insurance?

Not likely. Most insurance companies are private entities. They select their own criteria for what constitutes "full time" student status.

3. What does this mean if I am planning to stay more than 4 years?

After your first four years, your tuition can be raised. If you choose to take more than six hours in a semester, you will be charged for 15 even if you take 12 or nine.

4. If my sibling is coming in the fall, does this apply to him/her?

Yes. Your sibling will be charged for 15 hours. If they are on HOPE, they can take 12 hours but 15 hours will count toward their total HOPE credit hours. Their tuition will be raised 25 percent. They will also be charged the $100 mandatory fee.

5. Does everyone have to pay the mandatory fee of $100?

Yes.

6. What does the $100 fee go to?

According to policy waived by the BOR, students normally have 50 percent input on all mandatory fees. Since it was waived, we are limited in our understanding on this matter. We do know that the money generated from the fee will stay at our University to offset budget reductions. We are working diligently to gain student input at this University.

7. How long will the $100 fee last?

It will be implemented for the fall '09 and spring '10 semesters.

8. Can the fee be changed before we start school in the fall?

It is possible. If state budget cuts continue to increase, education will most likely be affected. The BOR can reconvene to reconsider the fee.

9. Was student input considered on any of these issues?

To some extent. They did listen to our concerns about Guaranteed Tuition Plan, budget cuts, and limited prior notice. However, unlike most states in the nation, we do not have a student on the BOR. This means we do not have speaking or voting privileges in the room when they are making these decisions.

10. What is SGA doing about this?

We are meeting with the necessary administrators to gain student input and insight during this budget crisis. We are looking into how this will affect ticketing and scholarships. We are speaking to SGAs around the state to determine how we can best work together to represent students. We are meeting with student organizations about how this will affect their members.

As we continue to learn more information, we will communicate it with you. We are here. Our door is open. Our phone number is 706-542-8593. Our e-mail address is ugasgapres@gmail.com. Ask us questions. Let us know your feedback.

- Katie Barlow is the president-elect of the Student Government Association.

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