At the University of Memphis, the freshman 15 is now the freshman
300.
In addition to an overall tuition hike next year, the U of M plans
to charge underclassmen an additional $300 dining fee per semester. The
increases come after a $6 million cut in state funding.
“Being a student, it’s expensive to eat on campus,” said Gionni
Carr, student representative with the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR)
and former U of M student body president. Carr cast the only vote
against the overall tuition hike and the U of M dining fee approved at
the Board of Regents’ June 19th meeting.
“My choosing to spend my money on campus is one thing, but making me
spend my money is quite another,” Carr said.
U of M freshmen and sophomores will be issued a debit card to use at
campus dining facilities. University officials said the new dining
policy would promote campus community and improve efficiency.
The tuition hike approved in June will mean an average increase of
6.1 percent for students at the six TBR universities.
Tuition for the U of M will increase more than the other TBR
schools, at just over 7 percent. Last year, in-state tuition for
full-time U of M students was $2,151 per semester. In the fall, that
number will be $2,292.
Full-time students once allowed to take more than 12 credit hours
for free will now be charged an additional $10 per credit hour. About
40 percent of U of M students take between 13 and 15 credit hours each
semester.
John Gillum is one such student. A computer technology major, he
plans to graduate in the fall with a full load of 18 credit hours that
semester.
“I think [the credit-hour increase] is better than doing a 7 to 9
overall percentage increase,” Gillum said.
