University of Virginia Library

Shannon Foresees
Tuition Increases
For Coming Year

By Barry Levine
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

University students can expect an
increase in tuition for next year, according
to Edgar F. Shannon, President of
the University.

President Shannon conveyed this information
yesterday to James R. Rocbuck
President of the Student Council, in
a letter responding to the Council's recent
expression of opposition to an increase in
tuition and fees.

President Shannon noted that most
state colleges and universities would be
forced to raise tuition unless increases are
made in the original budget proposed by
then-Governor Mills Godwin. The appropriations,
adopted as outlined by Governor
Godwin, contain no major increases in state
funds for the University but include the
anticipated revenues from increases in tuition
and fees at the University and other state
colleges.

Fund Reduction

Governor Godwin's budget called for a
reduction of more than $11 million in the
General Fund request submitted by the
University last fall. At the budget hearings of
February 9, President Shannon reported that he
urged the House Appropriations Committee to
provide additional state support for the
University's "essential needs and growing
enrollment."

"Every institution in Virginia," President
Shannon said in a statement to the Committee,
"is concerned over the consequences of possible
tuition increases to help offset the cost at a
time when all institutions are striving to provide
educational opportunity to more of our young
people."

The only major change, President Shannon
noted, was that the General Assembly authorized
"special funds" to be secured through a
tuition increase.

Held The Line

"Fortunately," the letter continued, "In the
recent years the University has been able to
hold the line on tuition in spite of rising costs
and an expanding student body. There has been
no general increase in tuition at the University
since 1966. Just a few years ago the University
had the unhappy distinction of being among
the state universities with the highest tuition
and fees. Today, we rank twenty-sixth among
the state universities on charges to state
residents, and the University's tuition is lower
than that charged at several other public
institutions in Virginia.

"I agree with the Student Council," he
added, that every effort should be made to hold
down charged to students as we seek to extend
educational opportunity. This was the basis for
my special plea to the General Assembly to
increase state support. Although for the past
four years the University has been able to avoid
increasing tuition, it will not be possible to do
so under the budget adopted by the General
Assembly for the 1970-72 biennium."