Tuition/Fees Approved for 2001-2002

News Release

For additional information, contact WVU Parkersburg President Erik Bitterbaum, 304.424.8200.

West Virginia University at Parkersburg has joined with other institutions in the state in responding to Gov. Bob Wise’s request to limit higher education tuition and fee increases.

WVU Parkersburg’s community college tuition and fees will remain at their current levels and the baccalaureate tuition/fee will increase by only 3.9%, effective with the fall semester. In-state students in community college programs at WVU Parkersburg will continue to pay $59.85 a credit hour. Tuition/fees for WV residents admitted to baccalaureate programs at WVU Parkersburg will be $79.90 per credit hour. It had been $76.85.

On Wednesday (May 30), the WV Higher Education Policy Commission approved 2001-2002 tuition and fees for WVU Parkersburg and all other state colleges and universities. The governor had requested that community college tuition be frozen and baccalaureate tuition and fees increase no more than 4 percent. Following the governor’s request, WVU Parkersburg rescinded its original baccalaureate fee proposal and requested a 3.9% increase.

"We are committed to making higher education accessible and affordable," WVU Parkersburg President Erik Bitterbaum commented. "WVU Parkersburg has a reputation for having one of the lowest tuitions in the state and our baccalaureate tuition is the second lowest in the United States. We support the governor’s request and will work with him to maintain sensible tuitions."

Until last fall, WVU Parkersburg students paid the same tuition for community college and baccalaureate programs. The first phase of a baccalaureate fee to help offset the higher cost of bachelor’s degree programs was initiated in fall 2000 with the second phase to be in place beginning in fall 2001. In response to the governor’s request, the second phase of the baccalaureate fee is at a smaller percentage than originally planned.

"We want to keep our baccalaureate programs strong and have the capacity to add additional degrees as need warrants," Bitterbaum noted. "To do this, we need to differentiate tuition levels between community college and baccalaureate programs to support faculty salaries, technology enhancements, equipment and infrastructure."

The Parkersburg campus president noted that institutional response to recent higher education legislative initiatives has required reallocation of existing resources. "We have few options remaining to reallocate to our baccalaureate programs at this point," he noted.

"We look forward to working with the Policy Commission to develop a statewide tuition and fee policy which can help address some of the inconsistencies that exist between community college and baccalaureate tuition levels," Bitterbaum said.

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