Regents approve NAU’s tuition, fee proposal

NAU entrance sign

NAU entrance signNorthern Arizona University’s 2013-14 tuition and fee proposal was unanimously approved by the Arizona Board of Regents at its regular meeting Thursday in Tucson.

The regents also OK’d tuition and fees and residence hall and meal rates for all three state universities.

NAU’s proposal includes a modest increase, while most undergraduate students on the Flagstaff campus are on the Pledge program and will see no change.

“We really are committed to providing affordability to students in Arizona,” NAU President John Haeger said during a presentation to the board. “Affordability and choice are the two ways we look at setting tuition throughout the state. And the Pledge program on the Flagstaff campus is extraordinarily popular with students and their parents.”

Haeger discussed the university’s priorities, including continuing investment in technologies related to education delivery and innovations that enhance student success. NAU’s Personalized Learning is expected to earn accreditation this spring.

Haeger said he expects the additional revenue generated will result in increases in freshman retention, baccalaureate degrees awarded, research output and affordable options for Arizona.

He said NAU plans to reinvest in tenure and tenure-track faculty, specifically in the sciences to boost research productivity to strive toward achieving goals outlined in the regents’ Enterprise Initiative. The university also is planning to perform much-needed deferred building maintenance, beginning with Wall Aquatic Center.

Also at the meeting, the regents elected 2013-14 board officers, selecting Rick Myers to continue as chair of the board. Mark Killian was elected vice chair, Dennis DeConcini was reelected secretary and LuAnn Leonard was elected treasurer. Student Regent Kaitlin Thomson will serve as assistant treasurerThe officers take their positions July 1.