Opinions: Jack White Back with new music.
Sports: Women's basketball needs a UConn upset.
Monday, March 25, 2018 - Vol. 118 Issue 69
Sports: Soccer takes on Indian Hills.
Students shave on St. Baldrick's Day
By Nicholas Ebelhack editor-in-chief
The Western Illinois University Board of Trustees voted unanimously Friday to keep 2018-2019 student costs level with 20172018 rates, establishing zero percent increases on tuition, student fees and room and board for incoming undergraduate and graduate students. Although passed, Trustee Lyneir Cole expressed concerns during discussion that not raising the technology fee would hurt Western as other universities continue to improve, citing some of Western’s outdated technological infrastructure. Budget Director Matt Bierman responded, saying that although raising fees would be helpful it could impact revenue. “We need to increase all of these fees to keep up with other campuses, the problem though is that we have to balance that with declining enrollment that might occur,” Bierman said. “One of the things that the student cost task force has studied is that for every percent we raise costs we
are going to lose a percent in enrollment, so that’s the conundrum that we live in, and that’s why this revenue conversation as a tuition and fees driven institution is difficult.” Cole suggested finding other ways to bring in revenue dedicated to technological improvements, as it would affect students being attracted to the university.
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“We need to increase all of these fees to keep up with other campuses, the problem though is that we have to balance that with declining enrollment” -Matt Bierman
Budget Director
“I’m more concerned about the ability to provide the technology, and I’m sure that there are ways to utilize some student funds to increase technology,” Cole said. “I bring children down here every year and the first thing they say is that the technology isn’t up to par, we need to bring it up par. That affects our enrollment on a regular basis.”
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BECCA LANGYS/PHOTO EDITOR
Western Illinois University students and campus community members participate in St. Baldrick's Day hosted at Tanner Hall Sunday. The yearly event asks for people to raise money and then shave their heads in support of cancer research and awareness through the St. Baldrick's Foundation.