PRESIDENT RUNTE ADDRESSES TUITION INCREASE

The following letter relating to the university's tuition rates was issued April 30, 2002 by President Roseann Runte.

Dear Students,

Nobody likes to see tuition increase. Yet, at the same time, everyone wants the best education possible. The faculty, staff, administration and board of Old Dominion University have worked assiduously to keep costs as low as possible while ensuring the quality of our programs.

You can see from the chart below that Old Dominion's fees are lower than those announced to date by most comprehensive doctoral universities in Virginia. The amount for fees today is less than the amount students paid in 1998. When you take inflation into account, education would even be considered a bargain.

Higher education is an investment in yourself and in your future. I went to university with a scholarship, and I worked to pay for my room and board. I know how difficult it can be to think about the future when you are worried about this month, this year. I hope that the increase in the Commonwealth's financial aid to students, the increase in the Pell Grants and the university's own investment in financial support for students will encourage and assist those of you most in need to continue your education and to pursue your dreams.

I look forward to welcoming you back to Old Dominion for your next semester, be it summer or fall. We will have great moments to celebrate: the opening of Constant Hall, Constant Convocation Center and the Maglev. Together, we will learn, discover, make history and create a better future for you and for our country.

Sincerely yours,

Roseann Runte
President

Click on the link below for a chart detailing the tuition rates of Virginia's state-supported colleges and universities.

http://web.odu.edu/webroot/orgs/IA/university_news.nsf/files/graph.jpg/$FILE/graph.jpg