ENMU tuition going up

The Eastern New Mexico University Board of Regents approved a raise in tuition and board along with pay increases for school staff during a meeting Friday in Ruidoso.

Regents approved an $83 increase in tuition per semester for resident and non-resident undergraduate students. Regents also approved a $93 increase in tuition per semester for resident and non-resident graduate students.

“That will be either the lowest or second lowest in the state of New Mexico,” ENMU President Steven Gamble said. “I guarantee we kept it as low as we could.”

Tuition and fees combined for undergraduate resident ENMU students has risen from $1,236 per semester during the 2003-04 semesters to $1,308 per semester for the 2004-05 year to the proposed $1,392 for the 2005-06 year.

“If it’s going to come back to the students in some way then I don’t mind it,” Fide Davalos, ENMU junior, said. “If it’s going to improve education and attract professors to ENMU then I don’t mind it. But if it’s not going to help the students then that’s not good.”

Regents also approved an average of 3 percent pay increase for employees.

A 5 percent increase in housing rates approved by the board members.