On Tuesday, July 26th, Alcorn State University’s (ASU) Student Affairs Office sent out a campus wide email addressing the tuition, housing, meal and student fee increase for the academic year of 2022-23. The goal of the email was to provide the campus with accurate information regarding tuition, fee and housing rates.
Tuition at ASU has increased due to the Institution of Higher Learning (IHL) approving a tuition increase for most schools in the system. Alcorn’s tuition remains the lowest in the IHL system ($7,869) and is lower than the system’s average annual tuition ($8,396). The rising costs of goods, services and campus operations was the reason for the increase.
The IHL’s annual housing rate is $103 and ASU’s annual housing rate increased just $82. Alcorn’s is currently the lowest increase in the system. The email stated, “We continue to make improvements to our housing facilities each year to ensure an excellent learning and social environment for students.” Some examples of the projects that ASU are working on are in the Honors Dorm where the process has begun to replace over 30 showers which began in the Summer of 2021, Burrus and Revels Hall’s roofs are being replaced, the Heritage Village has a phased carpet replacement which began in the Summer of 2021, Complex C and D have had all carpet replacement completed and Complex A and B will have full carpet replacement by the Summer of 2023. All dorms received general maintenance and repair and new computers and printers where placed in all dorm computer labs. The dorm rooms received new beds, chairs, mattresses and lounge chairs. In the Summer of 2019, all dorm lobbies were painted and refurnished from the Home Depot Retool Your School project supported by the ASU Foundation.
Meal plan rates increased to $217 as it continues to be the lowest in the system. ASU meal dollars (FLEX) was cut short $50 from everyone’s meal plan. The email stated, “The meals at our retail location, WOW, continue to be affordable; a combo meal including a burger, fries, and a soft drink average less than $15.00.” Alcorn continues to look for other options to spend FLEX dollars at all retail locations on campus. Student fees increased in April 2020 when the student body voted to raise the Student Activity Fee. The increase became effective in the Fall of 2022. The Home Depot Retool Your School project will renovate The Student Union Game Room for a fresher look in the Fall of 2022.
(Photo credit: Kawonza Milloy)
