Southeastern NEWS
                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           SLU 10880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504-549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
                                           
    Date: July 14, 2000
      Contact:                           Rene Abadie     1

SOUTHEASTERN TO INCREASE TUITION
     HAMMOND   Southeastern Louisiana University will increase its tuition for Louisiana
residents for the first time in seven years under a proposal approved today in Baton Rouge at a
special meeting of the University of Louisiana Board of Supervisors.
     The increase   which will generate approximately $3.2 million for the university in fiscal year
2000-2001   will be in the form of a $125 increase for the Fall 2000 and a $125 increase for the
Spring 2001 semesters. The legislation allowing colleges and universities to seek tuition
increases was approved by the Louisiana Legislature in its most recent special session.
     Southeastern President Sally Clausen said the additional funds will enhance the university's
efforts to hire additional faculty, provide faculty pay raises, increase technology on the campus,
improve student services and provide additional scholarships.
     "The decision to request an increase was not one that we made lightly because we want to
keep higher education for our residents as affordable as possible," Clausen said. "Our reasons for
seeking the increase are evident, however. Southeastern is at the lowest level of state allocation
of funds. In addition, we have the second lowest resident tuition and fees of all universities in the
University of Louisiana System and the third lowest of all public universities in the state."
     Without the increase, Clausen said, Southeastern would be in jeopardy of losing quality
faculty and national accreditation of several of its programs.  Even with the increase,
Southeastern's tuition remains a value. It is the second lowest in the state and $600 below
comparable institutions in the South.
                             -SLU-