University might cut graduate tuition waivers

By Eric Berger, Reporter

Published Oct. 26, 2007

The UM system Compete Missouri cost-cutting program could put some graduate assistants' tuition waivers on the chopping block.

The program, first proposed by Chancellor Brady Deaton, aims to make faculty salaries more competitive with other universities by cutting costs in other areas.

"There have been a lot of discussions about the budget taking place, and fee waivers is something that came up last year," Graduate School Dean Pam Benoit said.

The university gives out 283 fee waivers each year, which allows teaching assistants, research assistants and non-academic graduate assistants, among others, to have their tuition either partially or completely waived.

Benoit is setting up a task force to evaluate the fee waivers and see where any changes could be made.

"The task force is going to be made up all the different stakeholders involved, the directors of the graduate school, department chairs and students," Benoit said. "We are just looking at better ways of doing this, of making us a competitive school."

Missouri International Student Council President Thitinun Boonseng said for international students, the fee waivers are one of the main things that allow them to study at the school.

"If it does happen, it would be pretty big," Boonseng said. "For international students coming here to study, it would make it much less attractive."

Boonseng said changing the fee-waiver program could also affect different student organizations.

"It would be difficult for organizations that use assistantships, like the International Student Career Services," he said. "Student Life has a lot of non-academic international graduate students, and this would have an effect on them as well. Mizzou After Dark does a lot of international programs with these students."

No timetable has been set for any changes, but Benoit said the task force will have a recommendation on any changes to the fee waiver policy by May.

Missouri Students Association Senate Speaker Jonathan Mays said in an e-mail that the waivers are an issue the Senate will address when it reviews the university's budget. He said the Senate needs additional information before taking an informed stance on the issue.

Mays said the Senate would meet with MU Budget Director Tim Rooney on Monday.

"By then we should be in a better position to consider graduate assistant tuition and fee waivers in a more meaningful context," Mays said.