Muyskins Discusses Student and Tuition Fees with SAS

At the Tuesday, Nov. 17 meeting of the Student Affairs Senate, Provost Judy Muyskins discussed budgetary matters with Senators. Muyskins conversed with SAS largely to clear up any potential concerns about SAS funding before the Budget Committee presents its proposed budget at the Nov. 24 meeting.

According to Muyskins, Nebraska Wesleyan University is funded through various sources. Ninety percent of the funding comes from tuition and other fees while ten percent comes from endowments and other revenue sources.

In comparison to other area universities and colleges, such as Creighton University and Simpson College, NWU has relatively low tuition and student fees. “We’re not quite the lowest student fees and our tuition is low especially compared to schools in Iowa,” said Muyskins. For the 2008-2009 academic year, University of Nebraska-Lincoln undergraduate students paid $1,192 in student fees while Concordia University students paid $120. NWU students paid $322 this year.

Many academic institutions have different tuition and student fee rates. In comparison to area institutions, NWU is unique in the sense that it has a different method for determining student fees. Most area university and college administrations determine student fees whereas students via SAS determine student fees at NWU. “We’re unique in that students do make decisions instead of the administration,” said CJ Koozer, the Student Body President.

Muyskins also wanted to make sure SAS members have a clear concept as to what SAS funds and how this differs from other academic institutions. Typically, SAS funds various campus organizations as well as programs such as the Flintlock and Global Service Learning. The University also funds various programs and organizations.

There is some confusion on how much money organizations and programs receive from the university and from student fees. Muyskins noted that the administration would work to have better communication with SAS in order to eliminate future confusion about funding.