The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences administration will conduct two more public meetings this month to discuss the differential tuition with University of Kansas students.

The CLAS administration is urging students to educate themselves on the differential tuition plan, said Kim Wilcox, dean of liberal arts and sciences. The administration has talked to more than 40 groups of students since last fall. Several more group discussions are planned through the end of the month, said Nancy Lott, assistant to the dean.

Wilcox said this “educational phase” would determine whether Chancellor Robert Hemenway would carry the plan to the Kansas Board of Regents in March.

Beginning next year, the 20-year differential tuition plan would increase from $10 to $30 per CLAS credit hour, Lott said. Students would pay the $30 for the last 18 years of the plan. The money would be used to increase financial aid for CLAS students and to renovate and construct buildings, such as remodeling Wescoe Hall and building a new natural sciences building. The money would not be used for additional programs, Lott said.

Students will get the chance to vote on the tuition plan the last week in February. The College will send an e-mail to all CLAS students to vote in an online survey, Lott said. One of the questions will be phrased: “Do you agree with this proposal or not?” she said.

The administration would not give the proposal to the chancellor to carry to the Board of Regents if the survey did not receive positive support, Lott said.

Ruth Anne French, Partridge senior, joined the first committee last fall initially hoping to stop the differential tuition before it started. However, she realized the importance extra money would have for the University, she said.

She said it was never easy to raise tuition, but the money would go to building renovation and construction, a necessity for the University.

French was part of the group of students and faculty members who decided to use the money for building instead of additional student programs.

But she urges the freshmen and sophomores to get involved the most to understand the tuition plan.

“I’m a senior, so how I feel about it should not be as strong as how they feel,” she said.

Wes Smith, Lawrence junior, said he wasn’t familiar with the differential tuition, but he was concerned the administration wouldn’t really listen to the students.

“I would wonder of the relevance of the meetings and what they would actually accomplish,” he said.

Jaime Andrews, Derby freshman, said it was important to keep buildings up to date. She also said the meetings would be an important opportunity for the administration to explain the priorities of the tuition to students.

“I think it’s important to include students in a decision like that because it affects us,” Andrews said. She said it was important for students to know what the increase would go toward because some students pay for their own tuition.

Regardless of the students’ opinions, Wilcox said he just wanted the students to understand the purpose of the differential tuition.

“Yes or no, neither decision is a good decision based on lack of education,” Wilcox said. “This is set up as an option for students to shape their future.”

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Proposal meetings

Voice your opinion about the CLAS differential tuition:

Tuesday, Feb. 22

6 to 7 p.m.

1001 Malott Hall

Thursday, Feb. 24

5 to 6 p.m.

3139 Wescoe Hall

Source: College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

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“Yes, I think Wilcox’s plan is well thought out and made it affordable for all students, including those who wouldn’t be able to afford it.”

— Lindsay Mathews, Overland Park senior

“If they would put it to good use. As long as the money isn’t wasted.”

— Mike Hayes, Verona, N.J., sophomore

“Probably not because we won’t even be here to see any changes.”

— Renee Robinson, Lawrence freshman

“No, because the buildings are fine already. We don’t need to pay the extra money.”

— Jane Rozelle, Dallas sophomore