BOV EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS TUITION SURCHARGE; BUDGET REDUCTION PLANS TO BEGIN TUESDAY

The Board of Visitors Executive Committee voted Monday to recommend a midyear $12 per-credit-hour tuition surcharge to help offset cuts to academic programs as a result of the latest round of budget cuts to state agencies. While the university's budget reduction proposal must be approved by the full board, the vote means university officials will begin implementing the plan today.

For full-time students taking 15 credit hours, the surcharge would mean an additional $180 in fees next semester. Lauren Marsh, student representative to the board, noted during Monday's meeting that while students aren't anxious to pay more, they do understand the necessity and "want to do their share."

According to the plan, 80 percent of the surcharge would be used to prevent cuts in academic programs and 20 percent would be used to provide financial assistance to the neediest of students most affected by the increase.

The budget reduction proposal calls for the layoffs of 50 classified positions, three administrative positions and 20 hourly positions. It will also mean the elimination of one academic program, closing three TELETECHNET sites and converting a higher education center to a TELETECHNET site.

The Department of Human Resources will offer half-day briefing sessions for employees who lose their jobs. The sessions will cover such issues as placement options, severance benefits for eligible employees and career transition assistance. More information can be found on the department's Web site, http://www.odu.edu/webroot/orgs/af/hr/humanres.nsf?Open.

The full Board of Visitors will hold a special meeting in the next few weeks to vote on the surcharge.