Board meets, freshmen to pay more

One thousand dollars.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ That’s how much tuition will increase for in-state,… One thousand dollars.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ That’s how much tuition will increase for in-state, full-time freshman applying for the fall term of 2004.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ The Differential Tuition Rate plan, approved Thursday during the board of trustees’ annual fall meeting, aims to ‘improve the quality of undergraduate education’ without sacrificing the cost benefits of attending a public, as opposed to a private, university.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ A rapidly developing undergraduate program presents the need to recruit ‘top-notch’ faculty members, according to a background statement of the plan.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘Recruiting these individuals requires a dedication to maintaining the highest quality instruction, research tools, and facilities,’ according to the plan.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ And the maintenance has a hefty price tag for prospective Pitt students.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Pitt has allocated a portion of the differential tuition toward financial aid to help alleviate the cost burden of tuition for first-time students.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ In addition, out-of-state students’ base tuition will increase by $500, while students attending Pitt’s various branch campuses will face a $200 tuition increase.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ The $800 difference in rates for branch students results from different cost structures and competitiveness at branch campuses, compared to Pitt’s Oakland campus, according the plan.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ After Chancellor Mark Nordenberg presented the plan to raise tuition, the Board’s nominating committee approved a resolution to elect Thomas G. Bigley and Suzanne W. Broadhurst to positions as vice chairpersons of the Board of Trustees.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Thursday’s meeting also gave recognition to Alec Stewart, the dean of Pitt’s HonorsCollege. Stewart chronicled the success of some of Pitt’s highest achieving students in receiving the Marshall scholarship.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘Attainment by students is a measure of educational quality,’ Stewart said. Eight former Pitt students, some of whom serve as ‘dedicated’ alumni, were awarded the prestigious Marshall scholarship, which Stewart dubbed as ‘absolute attainment.’

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ In response to Pitt’s ‘unsurpassed excellence’ with the Marshall scholarship, Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, will visit Pitt Friday to name the University a center for Marshall success.Ka