By the time Dustin Daigle, a psychology major, graduates in May, he will have taken 124 hours in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Tuition without fees will have cost the Topeka senior $13,375 for his four years at the University of Kansas.

When Molly Horan, Topeka freshman, graduates in May 2008, she will likely pay the basic tuition rate for 31 hours a year plus an additional $1,860 in differential tuition fees to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences if the college’s proposed differential tuition plan passes.

Horan, who pays for half of her tuition, said she was not happy about the prospect of paying more.

“The extra fee makes a big difference,” she said.

Beginning next semester, students enrolled in the college would pay an extra $10 per credit hour if the plan passes. The fee would increase to $20 per credit hour for the 2006-07 school year and then be capped at $30 for the 2007-08 year. The plan is set to continue for 20 years.

This week students will have their last chance to express concerns or show support for the CLAS differential tuition. Today through Friday, every student will receive an e-mail survey from the college, said Kim Wilcox, dean of the college.

After gathering student and faculty input, college leaders will bring the proposal to the chancellor. The chancellor will decide if the proposal will be brought to the Board of Regents.

The majority of the money from the differential fee would go toward the renovation of Wescoe and a new natural sciences building. Twenty percent of the total differential tuition revenue would be used for college-specific financial aid and scholarships.

Horan said that she would respond to the survey but that she did not agree with the fee because she would not be here to use the new buildings.

She compared the situation to the graduating class who had to pay extra fees to help build the Student Recreation Fitness Center beginning in the fall of 1998. Those students were not at the University of Kansas when the center opened. As a result, their memberships were extended for the amount of semesters they paid for.

“They had to pay more, but could still use it,” Horan said. “We can’t come back and take a class in Wescoe.”

Eva Pottruck, Coral Springs, Fla., freshman, said she understood having to begin the differential tuition with a class that would not be around to see the finished product.

“I wish I could be here to see it, but people I know in the future will see it and I’ll be back to see it,” Pottruck said.

Another concern of students is having to pay more than one differential tuition fee.

If the CLAS fee gets approved, students in all other schools except Social Welfare — which will likely propose its own differential tuition fee — will have to pay two differential fees. One of those students is Matt Baysinger, Stilwell freshman.

Baysinger, who is thinking about majoring in business or journalism, said he didn’t mind having to pay two differential fees even though he helps pay for his tuition. He said the extra money would be worth it if it meant he received a great education from the University that would help him get a job.

The differential tuition would also be a way for students now to take responsibility for future generations of students, Baysinger said.

“I think it will better the University in the long run,” he said. “We’re just not here for us, we’re here for future students.”

Brian Cerney, Chicago freshman, who is thinking about business or journalism as a major, said he was not happy about having to pay a fee for CLAS and a fee for the professional school he chooses.

“I don’t like it at all, everyone should have to pay the same amount,” Cerney said. “I shouldn’t have to pay more just because it’s my major.”

That’s ridiculous,” he said.

Pottruck, who is a pre-education major, said she doesn’t have a problem paying the differential tuition fee because the University is growing and needs more buildings. The fee seems logical, she said.

She does, however, disagree with paying two differential fees.

“It is unfair to have to pay two differential tuitions, but everyone will have to,” she said.

There will be one more informational meeting for students at 5 p.m. tomorrow at 3139 Wescoe Hall.