Stockton Tuition and Fees Increase by 5 Percent

A few hours after the ground breaking ceremony for The Richard Stockton College’s Unified Science Center, the Board of Trustees met to announce this year’s tuition and fees hike.  Before the approval of the state budget, the school sought to keep the total cost increase to 4.5 percent. “We realized this goal was untenable and unrealistic,” said Emma Byrne, trustee and Finance Committee chair. Once Gov. Chris Christie signed the state budget on Thursday, Stockton administrators were able to uncover unanticipated challenges. “We had not expected a $6.2 million increase for state-negotiated contracts for faculty and staff,” said Stockton President Herman J. Saatkamp. “We also needed to fund the NJ Stars program,” Saatkamp continued. Though the state cut tuition aid grants (TAG) and the Equal Opportunity Fund (EOF), Saatkamp and the board countered by increasing the student merit and need based scholarships from $11.7 million to $13.5 million. Saatkamp also emphasized that the school saved $1 million by using geothermal and solar energy. Despite budget cuts and tuition increases, Saatkamp holds that continuing to build on the campus, such as the new Unified Science Building, is necessary. “We’re in a position to meet the level of the students,” said Saatkamp. No money from the state goes directly to the new finished College Center or the proposed Science Building. Rather, the school relies on 25-30 year bonds. “We’re still paying some of them off from the 1970s,” said Saatkamp. For the past eight years Saatkamp has been president, the school has seen decreases in funding accompanied by increased tuition. “This year we received the same dollar amount as 1998,” remarked Saatkamp. The in-state flat rate tuition for a full-time student (flat rate for 12-20 credit hours per semester) will increase $183.73, from $3,674.61 to $3,858.34.  Educational and general fees will increase $80.29 from $1,605.76 to $1686.05.  Other fees will increase by varying amounts depending on the market. Facilities fees will increase by 5 percent, housing rates will increase an average of 3 percent, and meal plan rates will increase by 4 percent. A typical incoming freshman will pay $22,159.60 for the year as opposed to $21,404.26 from last year (tuition, fees, room and board).  “We are committed to taking the steps necessary to maintain Stockton as New Jersey’s distinctive public college,” said Saatkamp.