Tuition and Fee Consultation Process
UTPA engaged in an enhanced tuition and fee consultation process as described below.
Development of Consultation Plan: Dr. John Edwards, vice president for Enrollment and Student Services, was asked to lead an effort to engage with students in developing an enhanced tuition and fees consultation plan. This resulted in the creation of the Cost of Education Committee (COEC) with members coming from the ranks of the students, faculty and staff. The committee was charged with reviewing fees and designated tuition rates, conducting presentations to stakeholders, and making recommendations to the president.
Cost of Education Committee: The COEC consists of 17 voting members: nine students, two faculty members and six staff members. Co-chairs of the committee are Adrian Sandoval, the president of the Student Government Association (SGA), and James Langabeer, vice president for Business Affairs (a non-voting member). The committee reviewed all fee proposals and developed a recommendation on designated tuition rates. For certain proposals needing clarification or further investigation, the committee invited testimony from experts. The student members had excellent attendance at the meetings and were very engaged in the discussions. It should be noted that the discussions were sustentative, plenty of time was devoted to the various points of view, and as a result of the level of engagement all voting was unanimous.
Forums: Two public forums were conducted by the COEC. The first forum was held during the noon activity period Nov. 15, 2005. The subsequent forum was held in the evening of the following day. Board members of the Board of the UTPA Foundation as well as the Alumni Association were invited to participate in the discussion. Local legislators and their staffs were also invited to participate. The two forums were widely advertised on campus via billboards, through the campus newspaper, and via e-mail. In addition, a large advertisement was placed in the local newspaper, The Monitor, to invite participation from the community.
At each forum, Mr. Sandoval presented the recommendations and issues. He then led the discussion. One legislator, Representative Veronica Gonzales, attended one of the sessions and briefed the students on the state perspective. As described below, each forum concluded with the circulation of a survey form.
Faculty Senate: The COEC co-chair and the budget office staff presented the committee’s recommendations to the Faculty Senate and solicited their feedback.
Staff Senate:The COEC co-chair and the budget office staff presented the committee’s recommendations to the Staff Senate and solicited feedback as well as answered questions.
UTPA Parent-Family Association: A presentation of the COEC’s recommendations was made to the organization by the assistant vice president for business affairs/budget director. At the request of the parents in attendance, all of whom were Spanish-speaking, the presentation and discussion were conducted in Spanish.
Tuition and Fees Web site: A web site providing access to proposals and related information is being maintained by the budget office. At each opportunity, at the forums and at the meetings of the Faculty Senate, Staff Senate and Parent-Family Association, the Web address (http://www.utpa.edu/budget/TuitionandFees.htm) was provided. In addition, email contact addresses were provided for persons interested in following up with additional questions or comments.
Surveys: At each forum and meeting of the various University constituent groups, a survey form was circulated as an instrument to gain insight and help inform the decision on tuition and fee rates at UTPA.
Special Meeting of the Deans and Vice Presidents: After the COEC report was submitted, a special meeting of the academic deans, vice presidents, CIO and budget staff was called by the University president. Again, the president of the Student Government Association, co-chair of the COEC, presented the recommendations of the committee.
Informal Focus Groups: Two luncheon meetings were held with student leaders from approximately 25 student organizations across campus. These sessions included discussions with the dean of students, the president of SGA and the vice president of Enrollment and Student Services.