The Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System (ULS) has approved a 10 percent increase in tuition prices for its nine universities, including Southeastern.
According to a Board of Supervisors press release, the increase will go into effect in Fall 2013, provided that the universities reach performance requirements stated in the GRAD Act before then. Preliminary reports indicate that each of the nine universities will meet these requirements, but they must be reported by April to the Board of Supervisors. The reports will receive final approval from the Board of Regents in June.
“The tuition increase for next year is contingent on the university meeting its GRAD Act performance goals,” said President John L. Crain.  “While we are confident we have met the goals, the official GRAD Act report still must be approved by our System Board of Supervisors and the Louisiana Board of Regents.  Once all of the approvals are in order the tuition increase will be effective beginning Fall 2013.”   According to the same ULS press release, Southeastern’s current average tuition from 2012-13 is $5,086.50 per semester. The 10 percent increase, totaling $508.60, will make the 2013-14 average $5,595.10. After the increase, Southeastern will remain one of the more affordable schools within the ULS, the most inexpensive being McNeese State, $5,475.25; the most expensive being  Louisiana Tech, $6,959.70.
Crain recognized that the increase in tuition will make it harder for students to afford their education at Southeastern, but added that the increase is necessary.
“No one is excited about increasing the cost of education for our students, but given ongoing reductions in state support, it is an absolute necessity,” said Crain.  “Our pledge to our students is that we will continue striving to be as efficient as possible in operating the university.”