Regents to consider more student housing, fee increases

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ More student housing and increases in student fees are being considered by the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents. <br><br>Fee changes for the 2002-2003 academic year will be

Monday, October 29th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ More student housing and increases in student fees are being considered by the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents.

Fee changes for the 2002-2003 academic year will be on the regents' agenda when the board meets in Norman on Tuesday.

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education consider requests for fee changes once each year, and the request must be received by Nov. 1 preceding the beginning of the fiscal year in which the changes become effective.

The fee proposals include an increase in the University Educational Network Connectivity Fee from $5 per credit hour to $7.50 per credit hour with a cap of $120 per semester. The increase will help subsidize costs associated with a proposed redesign and enhancement to the network infrastructure.

The OU College of Law is also seeking to increase its Student Technology Fee to offset a loss of revenue created by a reduction in enrollment, an increase in size and usage of the labs, added technology in the classrooms and courtroom, and an increase in printing costs.

Regents will consider entering into a contract for design and development of additional student housing on the Norman campus.

In May, the regents approved a project to add additional housing facilities to solve a housing shortage created by an increase in enrollment.

The project will include approximately 300 to 400 new student housing units. They will provide modern residences with desirable amenities to students wishing to live on campus.

Regents will also consider approving design plans for the Fred Jones Jr. Memorial Art Center addition, which will house the Weizenhoffer Collection of French Impressionist art and provide new educational and support spaces for museum programs.

In addition to adding a number of new gallery spaces, the project includes construction of an orientation room, a large multipurpose room for special events, an auditorium with seating for approximately 140 persons, and educational/art studio and a new museum gift shop.

The $13 million addition will also include some minor renovation of existing museum space. Funding for the project will be provided from $5 million in FY2000 Oklahoma Development Finance Authority Bond funds and $8 million in private funds.