Students in the College of Agriculture at Kansas State may see a significant increase in fees after final approval from the University Provost. Administrators say the change is necessary, but students worry that the financial strain, a $62 increase per credit hour, will outweigh the benefits of classroom renovations, student club resurgence and dedicated career services.
The proposal would raise on-campus fees from $22.90 per credit hour to $85. The college first suggested a fee between $100 and $105. The Ag Student Council voted to reduce the figure to $85, which the college accepted.
Of the $85, $40 would remain with the college and the remaining $45 would go directly to improving the individual departments. Improvements the additional support would fund include hiring graduate teaching assistants for large classes, student transportation for field trips and upgrading lab equipment.
“To me, the biggest part about this change is the shock from $23 to $85 … but we don’t have the resources to do it without it,” Jonathan Ulmer, interim associate dean for academic programs, said. “If this doesn’t happen … we will reduce some positions in the college and use that salary savings to pay advisors.”
Over the course of a 120-credit-hour degree, assuming 60 credits are taken in the college, the increase could total around $3,700. Administrators say the increase addresses long-standing funding gaps. The current fee remained unchanged for nearly two decades, even as costs grew within the college.
“The College of Agriculture has been at about $22 or $23 for about 20 years,” Ulmer said.
One of the primary drivers is a mandate from the Kansas Board of Regents requiring universities to transition to professional academic advising. The college must hire dedicated advising staff to replace the previous model of faculty advisors, who handled advising alongside their teaching and research duties.
“I think most of us would say … we didn’t have a problem with advising … but that wasn’t the perception,” Ulmer said.
While initial funding supported two advisors temporarily, the college now anticipates needing around 15 advisors to maintain the recommended student-to-advisor ratio.
“We have capped our advisors at about 225 advisees … which creates a better advising experience, but it also means we have to hire more advisors,” Ulmer said.
During an open forum College of Agriculture Fee Committee meeting, one student raised concerns about whether this increase might reduce enrollment numbers.
“We do have some concern about that,” Ulmer said. “I’m not going to lie to you … I do worry about enrollment being affected by cost. Even with this fee increase, we’ll still be cheaper [than regional competitors].”
Declining research funding also contributed to the need for additional support. In the past, research dollars were able to support classroom experiences, including access to facilities and equipment. Recent changes in federal policy have reduced grant activity and limited indirect benefits.
“We actually have a decrease in research funding, which impacts our classes,” Ulmer said. “If they buy a pen full of cattle for research, you’re probably going to use those for class … so they do cross over,” Ulmer said.
The college plans to update classrooms, improve lab facilities and expand career services for students. Some facilities, including off-campus agricultural labs, have not seen updates in decades.
“We need a dedicated person whose job is to connect students to business and industry,” Ulmer said. “We’ve been told that that person actually eventually pays for themselves because the more engaged that businesses are on campus, the more likely they are to give.”
The increase will also equalize the cost for all learners attending the College of Agriculture. Currently, online learners pay a much higher fee of $87 compared to on-campus students. The new structure will bring those costs closer together while also offering similar support services.
“We’re not just paying fees for fees’ sake,” Ulmer said. “We’re asking for fees to give services, improve things and create a better learning environment.”
PULL QUOTE:
(Pulled my previous quote up and added to story)
“There’s nowhere else for it to come from.” (I think this is maybe the best option)
“Part of coming to this campus… is being apart of it.”
“The big issue today… is this big step rather than incrementally over the past 20 years.”
^ All quotes by Jonathan Ulmer, Interim associate dean for academic programs.
