The cost of attending Western Illinois University will go up 4.5% this fall for incoming students.
During their meeting in Moline, the school’s Board of Trustees members approved raising tuition, fees, and room and board for the Macomb and Quad Cities campuses.
Budget Director Matt Bierman said although the state legislature agreed to hold higher education funding level this year, the state nonetheless deserves part of the blame for the rising costs.
“Over the last four years we’ve been cut over $7 million in our state appropriation, a little over 13%,” said Bierman.
“That has a pretty big impact. And it’s not a one year impact. It’s a long-reaching impact.”
WIU said it must also account for rising costs, such as faculty salaries that will increase 3.5% in the coming year.
Students entering WIU this fall are guaranteed to pay the same tuition, fees, and room and board for all four years.
Board Reorganizes
Also during the meeting, the board chose its officers for the next year. Cathy Early of Macomb will serve as chair, Carolyn Ehlert Fuller was elected vice chair, and Lyneir Cole was named secretary.
