Tuition increases 4 percent from last year
Full tuition jumps to almost 50K
by Emma Tucker | Llama Ledger Staff
Issue date: 9/3/08 Section: News
As many students and parents have become aware, the tuition for Simon's Rock has increased for the 2008-2009 year.
Last year, the tuition for two full semesters was $36,550, not including room and board. This year, that number has seen a 4 percent increase, and it now costs $38,010 for two full semesters at Simon's Rock.
According to the Simon's Rock website, full tuition now costs $49,775 for a first-year student.
The college Board of Overseers and the Bard College Board of Trustees approved the tuition increase this year "to pay for increased operating expenses," says Director of Administration and Finance Jon MacClaren.
These increased expenses include an adjustment in the salaries and benefits for employees of the college, as well as a slight increase in the cost of medical insurance for employees at the college.
The faculty received an average salary increase of 5 percent, each individual member receiving at least a 4.25 percent increase.
Payroll taxes, the college's contribution to retirement funds and life and disability insurance premiums will "increase in proportion to any salary increase," according to MacClaren.
Simon's Rock's operating budget is generally funded by tuition and fees, so salaries and benefits would not be able to increase without the tuition increasing, according to MacClaren.
While the financial aid process remains the same, the Robert M. Hutchins B.A. Scholarships have increased and the full AEP Scholarship is now richer, says Director of Financial Aid Ann Murtagh Gitto.
MacClaren says that he has heard from some parents and students that the increase is difficult to afford but once he "explains the circumstances of the increase, parents and students understand the necessity of it."
There has not been an overwhelming or negative reaction to the most recent increase in tuition, Murtagh Gitto agrees, saying "there is some kind of understanding that tuition increases on a yearly basis."
Regarding future tuition increases, MacClaren anticipates that there will be a "modest" increase in tuition for the academic year 2009-2010 and thereafter.
Contact the author: etucker@llamaledger.com
Last year, the tuition for two full semesters was $36,550, not including room and board. This year, that number has seen a 4 percent increase, and it now costs $38,010 for two full semesters at Simon's Rock.
According to the Simon's Rock website, full tuition now costs $49,775 for a first-year student.
The college Board of Overseers and the Bard College Board of Trustees approved the tuition increase this year "to pay for increased operating expenses," says Director of Administration and Finance Jon MacClaren.
These increased expenses include an adjustment in the salaries and benefits for employees of the college, as well as a slight increase in the cost of medical insurance for employees at the college.
The faculty received an average salary increase of 5 percent, each individual member receiving at least a 4.25 percent increase.
Payroll taxes, the college's contribution to retirement funds and life and disability insurance premiums will "increase in proportion to any salary increase," according to MacClaren.
Simon's Rock's operating budget is generally funded by tuition and fees, so salaries and benefits would not be able to increase without the tuition increasing, according to MacClaren.
While the financial aid process remains the same, the Robert M. Hutchins B.A. Scholarships have increased and the full AEP Scholarship is now richer, says Director of Financial Aid Ann Murtagh Gitto.
MacClaren says that he has heard from some parents and students that the increase is difficult to afford but once he "explains the circumstances of the increase, parents and students understand the necessity of it."
There has not been an overwhelming or negative reaction to the most recent increase in tuition, Murtagh Gitto agrees, saying "there is some kind of understanding that tuition increases on a yearly basis."
Regarding future tuition increases, MacClaren anticipates that there will be a "modest" increase in tuition for the academic year 2009-2010 and thereafter.
Contact the author: etucker@llamaledger.com
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