Regents discuss accreditation, tuition, campaign

The Board of Regents’ winter 2008 meeting kicked off on with the groundbreaking ceremony for the Martin J. Neeb Center, future home to KPLU and PLU’s development office. At the evening banquet, the first recipients of the Carol Sheffels Quigg Award for Excellence and Innovation were recognized. Named at the Christmas Luncheon, those honored include MediaLab and communication professors Joanne Lisosky and Rob Wells; the theater program Vpstart Crow; auxiliary services director Mark Mulder; and Dining and Catering Services director Erin McGinnis and her staff.

At the meeting, the board established a 6.7 percent increase to tuition and fees for full-time undergraduate students for the 2008-09 academic year. Full-time tuition was set at $26,800 and room and meals at $8,200, for a comprehensive total of $35,000. Part-time and graduate tuition was set at $838 a credit hour.

The total includes the student-approved initiative to increase fees for the purchase of renewable energy for campus residence halls, and also supports continued network and residence hall technical improvements.

The rates are set to maintain a strong academic and co-curricular program, with a strong commitment to maintain affordability for PLU families. More than 90 percent of PLU students receive some kind of financial aid.

Additionally, the administration was authorized to sign the construction contract with Korsmo Construction for the Martin J. Neeb Center, and the following faculty members were granted tenure: Ann Auman, Jeffrey Bell-Hanson, Rona Kaufman, Jon Grahe, Teru Toyokawa, Bridget Yaden and Fern Zabriskie.

In other action:

• The board was updated on PLU’s reaccreditation process. The self-study is due to the evaluation team in early March and the campus site visit is April 16-18.
• The board reviewed the activities leading up to PLU’s new capital campaign, including volunteer leadership, the campaign’s visual identity and progress toward the $150 million goal.
• The board discussed completed capital projects – the University Center, Tingelstad Hall and Garfield Book Company at PLU – and learned that Hinderlie Hall is scheduled for restoration this summer. Additionally, the board reviewed plans for fitness/recreation facilities and athletic fields, Rieke Science Center and Eastvold Hall.
• The board examined the enrollment trends and retention statistics for J-Term and spring 2008, as well as information for fall 2008. Other committee activity included presentations by Academic Affairs, Budget and Finance, Development and Student Life.