Tuition and fees at Purdue University Calumet stand to increase 5% to 6% during the upcoming 2009-10 academic year, according to a proposal by Purdue officials.

The proposal calls for undergraduate students who reside in Indiana to pay $210.25 per course hour-up from $200.70 charged to most Purdue Calumet in-state undergraduates during 2008-09. Out-of-state undergraduate students would pay $470.50 per course hour, according to the proposal, a $26.15 increase from last academic year.

Students enrolled in 12 or more course hours during fall and spring semesters are considered full time students.

The projected fee hike is in response to a 5.2 percent cut in state appropriation dollars to Purdue Calumet’s 2009-10 and 2010-11 fiscal years operating budget. Although Purdue Calumet and other Purdue campuses are receiving one-time “stimulus” funding to help offset the reduction, these dollars may not be used for recurring budgetary commitments.

“The proposed increase in Purdue Calumet tuition and fees is consistent with increases at other Purdue campuses,” Purdue Calumet Chancellor Howard Cohen said. “It will assure that a Purdue education on our campus is not compromised during a time when the state, despite its best efforts, is unable to support higher education at a level that will preserve quality for our students.”

Purdue officials are hosting a public hearing to focus on the system-wide tuition and fees proposal Monday (7/13) at 8 a.m. CST at Purdue’s West Lafayette campus. The hearing will be broadcast via videoconference connection in Room 135 of Purdue Calumet’s Calumet Conference Center, located at the far south end of campus.

Individuals who desire to speak at the hearing must register in advance by contacting the Purdue Board of Trustees Office by phone at 765/494-9710 or e-mail at trustees@purdue.edu. Following the hearing, the executive committee of the Purdue Board of Trustees is expected to act on behalf of the board and vote on the proposal and conceptual budget plan for all Purdue campuses.