MUNCIE, Ind.– The Ball State University Board of Trustees May 13 approved a budget plan that sets fees for the next two years and provides a 1.25 percent increase in the employee salary pool.

Under the plan, in-state fees will increase 4.8 percent in 2005-2006 and 5.5 percent in 2006-2007. The basic fees for Indiana residents who enrolled before summer 2003 will be $2,470 per semester for 2005-2006 and $2,605 per semester for 2006-2007, increases of $114 and $135, respectively. The proposal calls for students who enrolled after summer 2003 to pay $3,015 per semester for 2005-2006 and $3,180 per semester for 2006-2007, increases of $139 and $165, respectively.

The trustees discussed the university's budget proposal May 6 but postponed action on fees until after a public forum held this afternoon to receive input on the plan.

"Public forums like this provide an opportunity for us to hear the concerns of our students and their families," said Ball State President Jo Ann M. Gora. "In addition, we can share with them information about the factors driving the costs of higher education and articulate our commitment to making the most of our resources and preserving the academic quality that our students and their families expect and deserve."

(Note to Editors: For more information on this story, contact Glenn Augustine, associate director of university communications at (765) 285-1560 or ggaugustine@bsu.edu.)