Public Hearings on Changing to Single Tuition Rate for Lower- and Upper-Divisions at UH Hilo Scheduled

A series of public hearings will be held throughout the State in February on a plan to change to a single tuition rate for lower- and upper-divisions at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.

"The existing rate structure for lower- and upper-division students dates back to when UH Hilo and Hawaiʻi Community College (HawCC) were merged so that students at HawCC would pay the same tuition for courses from either campus," said Vice Chancellor for Administrative Affairs Dr. John Whittaker. "The differential rate was retained following the separation in 1992 to accommodate students transferring from HawCC to UH Hilo and vice versa.

"The decision to propose a single tuition rate and accelerate its timetable is due in part to the impending implementation of the new student information system, BANNER," he added. "Since UH Hilo is the only campus in the UH system with two-tiered rates, it would become too costly to implement.

A single-tiered tuition structure would also eliminate the sudden increase in tuition students encounter in the middle of their tenure, reduce inequities in the calculation of financial aid, encourage unclassified students to declare a major so that they will receive the most current advising and attention, and promote early evaluation of transfer students to avoid problems in meeting major or graduation requirements.

The proposal includes a one-year tuition rate equivalent to the difference between the upper- and lower-division to avoid penalizing classified freshmen, who are currently enrolled.

"This rate will allow them to pay the lower tuition until the fall of 2004, when they are scheduled to become juniors and would pay the upper-division rate of that academic year," Whittaker explained.

The times, dates and locations of the four public hearings are as follows:

Oʻahu -- February 25, 2003 -- 1:00 — 3:00 p.m. -- Campus Center 307, UH Manoa

Hawaiʻi -- February 26, 2003 -- 1:00 — 3:00 p.m. -- Campus Center 306-307, UH Hilo

Kauaʻi -- February 27, 2003 -- 12:00 — 2:00 p.m. -- Performing Arts Center, Kauaʻi CC

Maui -- February 28, 2003 -- 12:00 — 2:00 p.m. -- Kalama Room 107, Maui CC

Dr. Chris Lu, vice chancellor for academic affairs, Dr. Keith Miser, vice chancellor for student affairs, and Dr. John Whittaker, will conduct the hearings.