David Creamer, vice president of administration, discussed a recommended tuition increase with the 2006-2007 Undergraduate Student Senate yesterday.

The tuition increase of 6 percent will be considered at the Board of Trustees May 24 meeting. If passed, the tuition increase would be effective in the fall.

Since tuition for out-of-state students has been double the tuition for Ohio students, Creamer said Kent State has elected not to adjust non-Ohio residents’ tuition costs.

“We are trying to minimize the impact of tuition increases to non-residents,” he said.

The senators agreed that a comparison of other state universities tuition increases should be viewable to students in order to show some perspective.

Christen Coppola, senator for student relations, mentioned the fact that she is from Pennsylvania, yet it is cheaper for her to attend Kent State then Penn State.

The senators also asked questions in regard to student fee allocations that come out of tuition.

Executive Director Ross Miltner was particularly interested in the theater allocation.

Miltner pointed out the fact that tuition dollars are also allocated towards athletics resulting in students getting in free to sporting events, but students must pay to attend theater productions. Miltner said he believed an increase in attendance could result if the fees were incurred via tuition only.

“I think students would attend more plays if they were free of charge,” he said. “Some plays can cost from $7 to $15, which is kind of extravagant.”

The amount of tuition dollars that supports theater department activities, such as productions, has remained the same for quite some time, Creamer said.

Justin Jeffery, senator for community affairs, brought up the issue of double-billing student organizations in order to use audio-visual equipment at the Kent Student Center. Tuition dollars go toward upkeep of the Student Center, yet student organizations still must pay fees.

There must be a balance between affordable services and available services because the fees go toward enhancing the technology and facilities, Creamer said.

Prior to Creamer’s remarks, Sean Groves, senator for business and finance, read the names of the seven at-large members and alternates of the 2006-2007 Allocations Committee. The members range from members of Kent State Anti-War Committee to the College Republicans. Black United Students and the Inter-Greek Programming Board have permanent seats on the committee.

“I’m very confident with those I have selected,” Groves said. “These are great people who have shown themselves to be unbiased.”

Groves said the number of applicants, 17, has increased from previous years.

Miltner motioned to approve the Allocation Committee members, and the senate unanimously confirmed them.

The senate also nominated Amy Groya, senator for governmental affairs, as the Allocations vice chairperson. The position acts as a backup if Groves can not attend. The motion was passed unanimously.

Contact student politics reporter Breanne George at [email protected].