MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University’s Board of Governors voted to increase tuition rates.
The university released information Friday that in-state undergraduate students will pay another $336 each semester. Out-of-state undergraduates will see a $504 increase in tuition each semester.
The tuition increase for resident students is pending review and approval by the Higher Education Policy Commission.
WVU President Gordon Gee said the increase is an unfortunate necessity.
“We have lost dollars, a substantial amount of dollars. So has the state. So, we’re a part of that,” explained Gee. “Now, what we’re trying to do is think of new ways and new calibrations, not on the backs of families, but on the opportunistic side.”
When the nearly 10 percent tuition hike was announced, the university simultaneously announced a $50 million fundraising campaign called “Dream First” to provide additional aid for students.
“I believe very much in the indexing process. If you have to raise something, and then make sure you have something to cover it. Maybe the federal government ought to follow that.” Gee said.
An organized effort to follow students from freshman year to senior year, to eliminate extended college careers, could also help save families money in the long run Gee said.
“We’re going to appoint a dean of completion. We have a great dean of admission. We don’t have anyone sitting there with a big whip saying ‘Get the heck out of here’. We’re going to make that happen.”