R511-1. Purpose: To establish procedures (1) for institutions to consult with students prior to recommending tuition increases to the Board, (2) for the Board to consult with students prior to adopting projected tuition increases as part of the budget process, (3) for the Board to consult with students prior to approving increases of the tuition to be charged to the students at the institutions, and (4) for institutions to disclose to students the full cost of instruction and the amount of that cost that is covered by tuition.

R511-2. References

2.1. Utah Code 53B-7-101 (Combined Requests for Appropriations—Board review of operating budgets—Submission of budgets—Recommendations—Hearing    request—Appropriation formulas— Allocations—Dedicated credits—Financial affairs.)

2.2. Utah Code 53B-7-101.5 (Proposed tuition increases—Notice—Hearings.)

2.3. Utah Code 53B-7-105 (Higher education cost disclosure.)

2.4. Policy and Procedures R510, Tuition and Fees

R511-3. Definitions

3.1. Full Cost of Instruction – As derived from a calculation that allocates functional overhead expenditure categories to instruction, excluding the amount spent directly on research and public service or the overhead allocated to research and public service. Overhead categories defined by the National Association of College and University Business Officers include student services, institutional support, physical plant operation and maintenance, and academic support. Full cost of instruction is reported in the USHE Data Book for the most recently completed year.

3.2. Tuition – Board-approved amounts for a full-time undergraduate student (R510).

3.3. General Student Fees – Board approved amounts which are assessed to students directly, required to be paid with tuition, and are generally dedicated to specific purposes, such as building revenue bonds, extracurricular student activities, additional student services such as health clinics or computer labs, or athletics (R510). Fees for specific courses are not included.

R511-4. Disclosures for Tuition Increases – “Truth in Tuition”

4.1. Institutional Consultation with Students: Prior to recommending a tuition increase to the Board of Higher Education, the President or his or her designee shall hold a public meeting to provide an explanation that is consistent with the format prescribed by Utah Code 53B-7-101.5.(4) of the reasons for the proposed increase, how the revenue generated by the increase will be used, and an opportunity for public comment from students. After consultation with student leaders, public notice of the time, place, and purpose of the public meeting shall be provided through an advertisement in the student newspaper or by other forms of written notification at least two times within the ten day period prior to the meeting date, consistent with the standards prescribed in Utah Code 53B-7-101.5.(2) and (3).

  4.1.1. Tuition Percentage – Institutions shall disclose the aggregate percentage increase of first and second tier tuition (R510.3.1 and 3.2) and the dollar increase per semester.

4.2. Board of Higher Education Consultation with Students: The Board of Higher Education, prior to adopting projected tuition increases as part of the budget process or prior to approving any increase in tuition, shall hold a public hearing as part of a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board. In the hearing the Board shall provide an explanation of the reasons for the proposed increase, an explanation of how the revenue generated by the increase will be used, and an opportunity for public comment from students. The Board shall provide written notice of the hearing to the members of the Utah Council of Student-body Presidents at least one week prior to the date of the hearing.

R511-5. Disclosure of Tuition and Higher Education Costs

5.1. Disclosure of Tuition Relative to Full Cost of Instruction – Consistent with Utah Code 53B-7- 105, each institution shall disclose to its undergraduate resident students at the time of registration, in dollar figures for a full-time equivalent student (a) the full cost of instruction, (b) the amount collected from student tuition and fees, and (c) the difference between the amounts for the full cost of instruction and the student tuition and fees, noting that the difference between the cost and tuition was paid by state tax funds and other monies.

5.2. Amounts Based on One Semester for the Current Year –The amounts for full-time equivalent student tuition and general student fees and estimated full   costs of instruction should be based on 15 credit hours for one semester for the current academic year. Tuition and fee amounts which support the full cost of instruction, prior to any reductions for statutory tuition waivers (R513) or employee tuition remissions (R824), shall be used.

5.3. Content of Cost Disclosure – Amounts for the full cost of instruction shall be estimated by the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education in consultation with the institutions, relying on existing USHE cost study reporting practices. The content of the disclosure shall be in a statement with essentially the same content as the following:

Full-time undergraduate resident students at [Institution Name] paying a [semester/weekly] tuition and fee amount of [tuition dollar amount] (before any financial aid, scholarships, or waivers) contribute an estimated [percentage] percent to the full cost of instruction per full-time student of [full cost dollar amount]. The remaining support for the full cost of instruction is provided by [tax funds dollar amount] of state tax funds and [other funds dollar amount] of other institutional revenue sources.

5.4. Method of Cost Disclosure – Institutions may choose to disclose this information through a variety of methods, so long as the information is disclosed plainly and is readily available for students and other constituencies. These methods may include disclosure through (1) the course catalog, (2) the course schedule, (3) tuition invoices, (4) tuition receipts, (5) the cashier’s office window, or (6) other Internet and printed materials that list tuition schedules, tuition payment procedures and timelines, or other registration and tuition -related information.

Approved February 16, 2001, amended June 4, 2004.