February 15, 2008

To:       Parents of Students in the Rising Sophomore, Junior and Senior Classes

Dear Parents,

At its recent mid-winter meeting, Dickinson’s Board of Trustees approved the College’s fee schedule for academic year 2008-2009 (FY09). This information is provided to you now to give you time to adjust your payments with the Tuition Payment Plan or to make other financial arrangements in preparation for your student’s next year at Dickinson. 

The annual price charged for tuition, room and board for FY09 will increase from $44,430 during the current year to $47,500, that is, $37,900 for Tuition; $4,950 for Room; and $4,650 for Board. The Student Activities Fee for FY09 will remain unchanged at $334 per year for each matriculated student. The total tuition, room, board and fees will, therefore, increase by 6.86% from FY08 to FY09. 

In addition, the trustees approved an increase of 15% in the total financial aid budget over and above that spent in 2008. While this does not mean that all financial aid recipients’ packages will increase by this amount – because each student’s eligibility is assessed individually – it does mean that Dickinson's commitment to access and affordability remains strong.
 
The increase in revenues from student fees for FY09 represents funding for institutional priorities focused on further enhancing the quality of academic and residential programs, technology resources and access for students with economic need, including:

• Five faculty positions as well as increased support for academics, including new science equipment and the addition of academic technicians.   The new faculty positions, which bring the total faculty added in the past four years to thirteen, will substantially enhance our academic program.   They allow us to add new fields of study, such as neuroscience and Middle Eastern Studies, and make possible closer faculty interaction with students in independent research, field work and advising.  The technician positions and equipment similarly support enhancement of our lab sciences, studio arts including sculpture and ceramics, and our offerings in the new, important area of Geographic Information Systems (GIS).  All of these enhancements are necessary to ensure that our academic program meets the challenges students will face in the 21st century.

• Completion of construction and costs of operation for the first year of occupancy for the new Rector Science Campus, which will provide innovative, state of the art facilities for the interdisciplinary study of chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology, bioinformatics and neuroscience. Additional funding for sustainability, environmental safety, and expected electricity deregulation in Pennsylvania scheduled for 2009 are also included. See further information at: http://www.dickinson.edu/news/features/science_complex/index.html.

• Scholarship support – especially related to domestic and international diversity and to access for students with economic need – will increase to $29 million for FY09.  Financial aid policies, particularly at the nation’s wealthiest colleges and universities, have been the subject of much recent news coverage. Dickinson has historically been – and continues to be – committed to providing financial aid to more than half of its students.

• Improved library resources and technology infrastructure funding. The investments made by the College in recent years in information resources and systems reflect its profile as a leading national liberal arts college. The FY09 budget ensures that this momentum is sustained and that these investments are leveraged across the campus. Projects will include the addition of dozens of new services to the Web portal, a strong program in information literacy skills for students, and the start of a three-year project to extend wireless access to the entire campus.

Payments by families are directly tied to the operating budget of the College and comprise 77% of net revenues. These fees are combined with the generous gifts to the College – from alumni, parents and other friends – and annual spending from the endowment and other investments to maintain and advance excellence of education for your student. Compensation and benefits appropriate to attract and retain faculty of national caliber; academic facilities and technology supportive of curricular innovation and prominence; residential programming and facilities attuned to contemporary living; financial aid focused on student access and diversity within responsible financial limits – these comprise core budgeting priorities, focusing resources on quality of education, the residential experience and a network of accomplishment for current students and alumni.

More information about items on the student bill is available at the Student Accounts  website at http://www.dickinson.edu/departments/finops/studentaccounts.html, including information about applying for tax relief based on the Hope Scholarship Credit and the Lifelong Learning Credit of the Tax Relief Act of 1997; waiving out of student health insurance; paying by credit card; participating in the Monthly Payment Plan (TMS); choosing alternative meal plans; etc. 

Members of our team are ready to help you at 717-245-1953 or by e-mail at stuaccts@dickinson.edu.

Sincerely,

Annette S. Parker ’73
Vice President and Treasurer

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