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Show THE SIGNPOST Page 7 Session ends: higher ed fares well, tuition going up Friday, March 2, 2001 By Lisa Roskelley editor in chief The Signpost While the 2001 legislative session is over there is still plenty of work to be done. Legislators left higher education and applied technology centers in limbo when a decision could not be reached; they've empowered students with the right to be informed about tuition increases, and forced institutions and the Board of Regents to hold tuition hearings: institutions are now capable of raising their tuition in addition to the base the regents pass. Overall a productive and lucrative session for higher education, but not without trials and leaving plenty to do. ttJOOGO k frrrrfHrnr-tntTTi Bittersweet tuition Tuition was a big question on several levels: 'Truth in Tuition" legislation, second tier and increases. And after all has been said and done tuition may be going up 7 percent come next fall, but students will know about it. The second tier policy was adopted but only for five out of nine higher education institutions. The four universities have the ability to raise it 4 percent: Weber State University is planning to implement an additional 1.5 percent tuition increase on the newly instated second tier, Utah State University is expected to raise it 2.5 percent, University of Utah 1-1.5 percent and Southern Utah University 2 percent. Utah Valley State College, however has the ability for a 7 percent second tier, which it are expected to ask for. Each Institution must request the increase from the regents at the March meeting. In light of the second tier plans, President Paul Thompson is calling a tuition hearing March 9 for all students and parents to attend as obligated by the new regents' policy. Considered a triumph for students all around the state, the bill calling for 'Truth In Tuition" won't go into effect for another 60 days, well past the time when tuition for next fall will be determined. However, since the regents adopted their own policy similar to the bill, immediate impact is being felt at WSU. The policy, and the bill, require that if a tuition increase is going to be made then a public hearing must be had and advertised, see page 3. Thompson isn't the only one thinking of raising tuition another 1.5 percent either. The regents, who have already approved a 4 percent increase before the session began, need to raise it to 5.5 percent in order to take advantage of the money the legislature is offering for faculty and staff compensation. Thompson's extra 1.5 percent is needed to update computer servers and administrative systems used to keep registration and student data. "I think it's a no-brainer," said WSU Student Association President Dee Hansen. "It's totally to serve the students." Davis' hallelujah The Davis Campus building is so close one can almost-taste it. Or see it. At least the money can be seen and tasted, all $21.7 million of it. 'The governor is very eager to move forward," Thompson said. The building was approved as part of a package in the governor's engineering initiative, along with three other buildings in the state. Groundbreaking is expected in one year and completion for the building is expected for August of 2003. The trials and tribulations The biggest trial has the initials of ATC. The ATCs. that have often been referred to as the stepchildren of education, have been fought over, pushed, shoved and shelved. 'This is huge, this is the biggest, most important legislation we've had up here in six years," said Sen. Ron Allen. D-Salt Lake. When a decision could not be reached between the House and the Senate, the House finally voted at 11:52 p.m., with eight minutes to spare, to send it to the Rules Committee. This left it to the governor to call a special session to resolve it. "I anticipate we will, a decision needs to be made," Gov. Mike Leavitt said after the session ended. This transfer would have an impact on WSU, according to Thompson. Allowing the ATCs to give associate degrees would take students away from WSU. EXSL honored by comm students By Pat Ahern news writer The Signpost The Department of Communication thanked KSL for its donation of a television news set, originally valued at over $200,000, by holding an open house Wednesday morning in studio 76. The open house was attended by several hundred students, faculty members and alumni as well as many KSL staff members. The set, weighing approximately two tons, was transported to WSU in September where it was painstakingly disassembled and carried piece by piece into the broadcasting room. The set was then reassembled, a process that took three weeks. The set was made available when KSL decided to build a newer backdrop for its broadcasts. "This is something so much more than we could ever afford," said Terri Reddout, instructor of broadcast production at WSU. ""It is a proven set, built by professionals, designed by professionals, and so we look professional."Allison Hess, WSU professor of communications, contacted KSL in May when she heard from a student intern that they were building a new set. "It was never a question once Weber State told us they wanted it," said Brink Chipman. news di rector at KSL. 'There was no question, that was where it was going to go." Chipman said that the decision to donate the set to WSU was easy despite television stations from around the country offering to buy the old set. '"We are really pleased to be able to do it," Chipman said. "I think anything that enhances a broadcast school or communications school is important." Rod Zundell, KSL sports anchor and Weber State University graduate, commented on the growth of the communication department."I was here before they had a newscast or anything like this," said Zundell. "In the last 10 years Ty Sanders. Terri Reddout, man, the whole communications department, has just done a tremendous job in improving what was basically nothing into what is now a vers' credible program. "UYU for so long has had their newscast. Utah their news break and now I think this is going to rival them in prestige and the way they can get things done." In the past, department money allocated to the broadcasting program has been invested in equipment. Once the equipment is purchased there has not been enough money left over to upgrade the set. The new set will help broadcasting students put together more professional newscasts. "It is a great addition to the newscasts," said Jennie Whitesides, one of the anchors for WSU's newscasts. "It makes it a lot easier to put together a resume tape that looks professional."More professional resume tapes will help graduating broadcasting students immensely in seeking employment, which strengthens the program dramatically."Everybody in this department in some way or another has played a part in making this a success," said Hess. "Weber State deserves to have a professional look," said Zundell, "and the way they are going, they are just going to get better and better and better." i 6.25 15 Yr. fixed . 6.50 30 Yr. fixed Free Pre-qualif ication vvvvvv.prncarnerica.com fjoi.daACA!uto.PtaMfii-infe. A NEW indispensable Internet tool for your business! The Utah Legal Notice Database is online! Manual searches are free! Or, subscribe to Smait Search and receive daily e-mail delivery of local andor statewide legal notices of vital importance to your business. Go to: www.utahlegaljn.otices.com On& Aservios of the Utah Press Association liiJ and your local newspaper "'w-w If? ) V. 43 Deptartment of Communication Chairman Ty Sanders presents a signed photograph of the broadcast students to Brink Chipman, news director of KSL KSL donated itsold news set to WSU. Eksa team Las 5? in m :-i m WSUSA STUDENT ELECTIONS SH -.1 March 17-31 22 positions available Election packets now available in Student Gov. Offices Packets must be turned in by March 6th 4 p.m. DON1 BE T MID |