Board adjusts student fees in light of pandemic

EOU adjusts student fees in light of pandemic

 April 13, 2020 LA GRANDE, Ore. –  Eastern Oregon University’s Board of Trustees approved changes to lower mandatory student fees for spring term, as part of the institution’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. 

The Finance and Administration Committee recommended reducing the Building Fee, Health Service Fee and Hoke Special Renovation Fee by 25% each, and lowering the Incidental Fee by $10 this term. Trustees voted unanimously in favor of the revision. 

All course fees were also reviewed prior to the start of term, and many were reduced or waived in light of the temporary remote-access environment. 

Chair of the Finance and Administration Committee Richard Chaves said the change aligns with the institution’s mission and values. 

“If I was asked to sum up in one sentence the vision of the EOU Trustee Board since its inception five years ago, I would say ‘do what is right and best for our students.’ That vision made the decision by the Finance and Administration Committee and, subsequently by the Board, to reduce mandatory student fees for Spring Term an easy one,” Chaves said. “It is the right thing to do for our students.”

Any change in fees requires approval by the Board and  students were notified of the potential change during the first week of term. The university’s total loss of revenue from the reductions of fees is projected to be over $180,000.

Mandatory student fees are only assessed to students registered for on-campus courses that are now being delivered remotely. Students enrolled under the part-time student fee policy are subject to these fees at a rate appropriate to the specific number of credit hours taken each term. Fees are usually assessed at the same rate each term. 

The Board also approved amendments to EOU’s master plan, which guides capital project proposals. The amendment realigns institutional priorities and updates progress on specific projects. 

Alongside the master plan updates, trustees approved capital proposals for 2021-23 that will go to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission for review. EOU’s proposals focus on renovations to Inlow Hall and Loso Hall that directly impact teaching and learning spaces. 

Meeting materials and complete minutes are available at eou.edu/governance.