The Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents today set tuition and fees for the 2019-2020 academic year.The Board of Regents approved an $11.75 per credit hour increase in in-state undergraduate tuition and a $1 per credit hour increase in the maintenance and repair general fee, bringing the total increase to $12.75 per credit hour. In 2018, Student Government approved a three-year phased increase in the general fee to better support information technology, maintenance and repair, and student wellness. The $1 general fee increase approved today corresponds to the second year of the Student Government-recommended general fee increase and will assist in addressing deferred maintenance needs on campus identified in the recent University master plan.Dr. Carlos Vargas, president of Southeast Missouri State University, said, I am aware that the tuition and fee increase is higher than has been the case in the recent past. Unfortunately, the increase is necessary to ensure that we are able to continue providing the high-quality programs that our students have come to expect from Southeast.Student Government President Matt Rolwing, who also serves as representative to the Universitys Budget Review Committee, said, I really hate that it (tuition) has to go up, but I see the need as Southeast faces enrollment challenges and needs to focus on maintaining a quality faculty and staff. Rolwing said Southeast cannot continue to provide quality services across campus without revenue enhancement.Without additional revenues, Southeast is laying down the dominoes for a trickle-down effect in service to students, he said.Justin Jacobs, Student Government treasurer, said, Southeast really fights to be affordable.The tuition increase in the long-term will sustain the University and the quality of education we receive, he said.Without these increases, we become a stagnant university, Jacobs said. Even though it (tuition) is increasing, we are following what other universities are doing. Its going to be beneficial to the overall student experience.Rolwing said he also supports the increase in the maintenance and repair general fee, particularly after Student Government heard a presentation from Kathy Mangels, vice president for finance and administration, that included photos of deteriorating infrastructure in Southeasts utility tunnels.I think it was that point when the students really understood the need for these repairs, he said.Without the increase, he said, How else are we going to be able to keep up with maintenance and repairs?Under the new fee schedule, Southeasts per credit hour tuition rates beginning in fall 2019 are as follows:- Missouri resident undergraduate: $260
- Non-resident undergraduate: $461
- Online only undergraduate: $300
- Resident graduate students: $331
- Non-resident graduate students: $584
- Online only-graduate: $365