Administrator Comments

May 25, 2001
Dean Ostrander mentioned that, based on a recent meeting of the Deans, the rationale for the institution of the non-resident fee was unclear. However, there are real costs associated with being a non-resident student, such as time spent with professors, library use, email account maintenance, and time spent tracking records. Dean Ostrander is trying to ascertain the actual cost to the university of maintaining someone as a non-resident student.

The GRO suggested implementing a two-year (four semester) grace period in which non-resident students would not have to pay the non-resident student fee. The rationale for this grace period would be to encourage students to finish their dissertations before non-resident fees kick in. Many students suggests that, in order to pay the non-resident fees and support themselves, they take on full time jobs. This, in turn, prevents the completion of their dissertations.

Dean Ostrander responded that if there were a significant decrease in university revenue due to implanting a grace period, it would have to be replaced somehow. The GRO suggested that we simply raise the non-resident fee for those paying after the two-year period. Dean Ostrander admitted this as a possibility, and also mentioned that he will look into how other universities handle the situation.

Other Issues
Dean Ostrander mentioned the Strategic Plan for Arts & Sciences, which will be complete by October, 2001. It outlines a plan to review the efficacy of each department in both graduating doctoral students and helping them find good jobs. Under the new Plan, the Deans' Office will no longer hesitate to place guidelines on how each department spends its stipend/funding money.

September 11, 2001
Dean Ostrander has a meeting with Kitty Lauer on September 12, at which he will be presented with the costs associated with keeping non-resident students affiliated with the university. Non-resident tuition has become an issue in recent years because it has been suggested that it prevents students from finishing their degrees, as they are focused rather on trying to make a living and pay tuition in the absence of university support. Some people at the university have on occasion suggested that this fee provides an incentive for students to finish. The longest student on record took 26 years to complete his degree. One-and-a-half years ago, the university instituted a policy in which graduate students were allowed ten years to finish their degrees. Dean Ostrander began working one-on-one with students who were over or nearing the ten-year limit. During these conversations, students are presented with a set of options, ranging from a personalized plan for finishing their degree to an option to withdraw in good standing from the university. Extensive conversations with a student's advisor usually inform the individual's decision. Since beginning these conversations, 18 out of 21 students have graduated within one year.

September 25, 2001
Dean Boswell clarified that non-resident students may use the Student Health and Wellness Center at no charge, even if they do not hold the university insurance plan. This service is offered largely as a good-will gesture, as its costs are minimal. Last year a letter was sent to all non-resident students explaining this benefit. A similar letter will not be sent out this year, unless problems become evident.

February 18, 2002
Dean Ostrander offered a few amendments to Mary's recent Grad News article about the non-resident tuition fee.

• He clarified that even though an institutionally required fee (i.e., tuition) can be called a "normally accepted fee" for the purpose of charging grants, faculty cannot be required to pay normally accepted fees from their grants.
• Regarding an international student "test case," Dean Ostrander questioned whether such a test would take too long to be of use.

Dean Ostrander suggested that there are two further areas of research necessary before any movement can be made on the issue. First, finding out how many non-resident students are actually abroad or away from campus. Second, discovering how comparable private research universities handle similar fees. Mary has volunteered to pursue information about the latter.

Dean Ostrander suggested that any changes in the non-resident tuition fee are several years down the road-after the health insurance subsidy has been fully implemented, another revenue source has been found, and the schools of A&S and Engineering have been consulted.