The Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees today approved a 2014-15 tuition and fees schedule. The annual cost for full-time resident undergraduates will be $9,385, an increase of $291—or 3.2 percent—from last year’s rate of $9,094. NMU will maintain its longtime rank as having the second-lowest tuition and fees among Michigan’s public universities.

NMU falls within the tuition restraint level required to secure its full state appropriations increase per the funding formula in the higher education bill awaiting the governor’s signature.

 “This positions the university to make strategic investments that will maintain and grow key academic programs, particularly those in high-demand fields,” said Gavin Leach, vice president for finance and administration. “Our goal has always been to enhance the academic experience of NMU students while remaining a quality provider of one of the best educational values in Michigan. We have done this by exercising tuition restraint and through continued university support for our financial aid programs. The recommendation based on enrollment projections for the coming academic year, increased utility charges, contractual obligations and other inflationary costs.”

In voting for the tuition proposal, Trustee Steve Mitchell said, “NMU continues to be the second-most affordable university in the state. We have been good shepherds of parents’, students’ and State of Michigan dollars. We’re in a slight enrollment decline, so now is not the time to stop investing in quality. The 3.2 percent is considered by the governor and legislature to be a fair amount, and I believe it to be as well.”     

Other related changes are as follows: the one-time student athletic fee will rise by $10 to $235; students taking an athletic training lab will be charged a $25 course fee; and students in upper division nursing, clinical lab science and business courses will pay an additional $35 per credit hour. NMU’s tuition and fees schedule will be made available at www.nmu.edu/tuition.

Leach told the board that even with increases in tuition and state appropriation, nearly $1.4 million in budget reductions will be necessary. Administrators have begun working through the prioritization process.

The board also approved a contract draft for president-elect Fritz Erickson, effective July 1. Once Erickson reviews and signs the document, details will be made public.

In other action at today’s meeting, the board:

▪Reauthorized the charter with North Star Academy for one year.

▪Approved a reorganization that will combine the Communications and Marketing departments into one and change the name to the Office of Identity, Brand and Marketing. The office will report to the vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Services.

▪Accepted nearly $15,000 in gifts of property to the university.

▪Granted Jon G. Lasalle and Brian Cloyd trustee emeritus status and Theresa Nease the status of executive assistant to the president and secretary of the Board of Trustees emeritus.

The next meeting of the NMU Board of Trustees is scheduled Thursday and Friday, July 17-18.