Purdue officials approve tuition freeze, merit pay increase proposal
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) – The Purdue Board of Trustees Finance Committee have approved the proposal to freeze tuition at the West Lafayette campus for the next two academic years, which would bring the total to four years without an increase for students.
In the proposal, the base tuition for the 2015-16 and the 2016-17 school years will remain the same – $10,002 for in-state students, $28,804 for out-of-state students and $30,804 for international students.
“It’s a combination of a lot of good work by a lot of good people, just trying to be more efficient about everything we do,” explained President Mitch Daniels.
The Finance Committee approved the proposal Thursday.
In addition to the freeze, the committee approved the 2016 operating budget which includes a 3.5 percent merit pay increase for West Lafayette employees.
“Every unit will get three regardless, and then the other half percent – we’re just asking for a flexible plan. Nobody has to do it, purely voluntary, but we hope every unit will decide to participate,” said Daniels.
As for that half percent, Daniels said the university is asking each of the roughly 20 units at Purdue to streamline administrative costs, better utilize space and recognize strong performers in the distribution of the merit increase.
University Senate Chairwoman Patricia Hart asked the president in February for possible pay raises. She believes the faculty will be more than happy with the plan and thinks it will be interesting to see how it plays out.
“I would say the faculty, as always, will be rolling up their sleeves, trying to participate and collaborate in any way we can think of to keep a Purdue education affordable and excellent,” said Hart.
Under the proposal, Daniels said the university will continue to invest in programs aimed at improving academic excellence, with projects such as Purdue Moves.
The proposal also called for entry-level wages to be increased to $10 per hour for clerical and service staff.
The full Board of Trustees is expected to endorse the measure on Friday, and then it will be forwarded on to the Executive Committee for final approval expected by May 27.
The Physical Facilities Committee approved the $60 million State Street Project development agreement, which covers cost-sharing, funding and project management. The West Lafayette City Council, Redevelopment Commission and the Purdue Research Foundation all must approve it as well.