Vote goes to students Oct. 11, 12
On Oct. 4, Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) hosted a tuition and fee hearing that was open to all current students and faculty. University leaders attended the hearing in order to discuss and propose fee increases for students for the upcoming school year. All fee increases that were proposed will only affect incoming freshman students beginning Fall 2022. Proposals included increasing fees for departments like Group Hospital and Medical Services, Athletics, Music and Lab fees.
The Group Hospital and Medical Service proposal was to increase fees by $5.64 per semester. The price would rise from $57 to $62.64 for students per semester. This rate increase would be used to continue the enhanced health services that are currently offered by the university and that are funded with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES), funding associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The increased fees will be charged to graduate and incoming freshmen students at TAMUK in the variable rate plan.
The Athletics Department proposed to increase fees from the current $20 to $40 per semester. The overall purpose of this increase would be to support the general operation of athletics at TAMUK. The fresh expansion of the conference requires increased fees.
One of the goals of the department is to become a top 10 to 15 nationally recognized program across the board, which means that the university needs to keep up with other universities.
The Music Department proposed an applied music fee tied to specific courses for music majors only.
Current students taking an applied music lesson are charged $75 per semester credit hour (SCH) and are capped at $150 per SCH. The proposal was to raise the fee to $125 per SCH and cap at $250.
“This suggested proposal from the hearing was also made to current students at the School of Music with an in-depth discussion and no concerns were raised regarding the rise in fees,” Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Lou Reinisch said.
As for lab fees, the charged fees for current students stand at $5 a course. Certain courses will be raised no more than $30 per course. These lab fees will primarily effect students in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
The university would be charging higher fees for students, but the money would be coming back to the student in updated services across many departments on campus, officials said.
TAMUK will use the extra money from the increased fees to spend on things that directly relate to student success and their experience at the university because they want their students to have a quality, top notch experience.
The university would benefit from increased fees by having the opportunity to use the latest technology and services that students need.
“Being able to offer them more mental health opportunities through personnel or getting them the help they need is what we want, so the increase in fees would be able to get them the proper services they need to be successful whether that’s in the classroom or out of the classroom,” Vice President for Enrollment Services and Student Affairs Dr. Rito Silva said.
The increase in fees does not correlate with the decrease in enrollment at the university, officials said.
“It’s really more about catching up to be where we need to be,” Silva said.
Current students at TAMUK were given the opportunity to attend the meeting, listen to the proposals and voice their concerns.
“Before I was opposed to it because when you think about an increase in your tuition, then you’re automatically against that, but now that I got to ask them, they’re reasoning and why they’re doing it, I’m more on board because I think it’ll help us as a student body,” senior Bryanna Reyna said.
Although the increase in fees may be difficult for students, all students attending the university are able to access the student affairs office to ask questions about the reasoning behind the proposals to possibly gain a different perspective.
“The increase in those proposed fees would be the best solution because if we weren’t able to increase those fees, then things wouldn’t be able to get better. It would affect students, but in a positive way. It’ll be a great outcome in the end,” Tyler Larraga, education major, said.
Current students on the guaranteed rate plan will not be affected by this proposal.
Students can check what plan they’re on through the Business Office. Voting will take place Oct. 11 and 12 via students Blue and Gold account.
“Ask as many questions as you can and use our website to get the answers you need. Educate yourself and get as much of the facts as you can,” Silva encourages.
