By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
With the beginning of the summer term at Fort Hays State University, life has returned to normal on campus.
And with the removal of COVID-19 preventive measures and the transition back, a massive expansion of in-state tuition to states across the region by the university is making its way to the Kansas Board of Regents.
If accepted, incoming students from 14 states will have access to in-state tuition, typically a much cheaper rate than out-of-state rates.
“We are all in,” said Fort Hays State University President Tisa Mason. “We have moved back to pre-pandemic policies and procedures, we are not wearing masks, our doors are open again, the buildings are unlocked. And this fall when our students come back, they are going to see football games and they are going to see student activities and fantastic resident life programs and Greek life and whatever student organization appeals to them. It will be exciting to go to the back-to-school picnic, find their interest and start loving Hays, America, and a Fort Hays education.”
Mason said FHSU policies had limited the number of cases stemming from the university, giving them valuable insight into returning safely.
“We are feeling really good with how our community and student and our faculty and staff rallied around, followed protocols when we asked them too, and we have been able to expand and open up,” Mason said.
The end of COVID-19 protocols coincided with the beginning of the summer term, but for most FHSU students, the return to normal will be seen in the fall, with only select classes offered during the summer term.
But for those students planning to attend FHSU in the fall, despite the financial concerns brought on by the pandemic, the university is recommending no cost increases.
Students could even see a slight decrease in costs.
While tuition rates are ultimately up to the Regents, Mason said they are recommending no increase.
“We have proposed for the second time no increase to tuition and actually a slight decrease in fees thanks to our student government. They are going to save $.18 per credit hour,” she said. “This means that tuition at Fort Hays will remain roughly half of the national average and more than $2,000 less than the average of our sister KBOR universities.
“Any way you look at it, we are the best value anywhere.”
And with another proposal made by the university to the Regents, that value will extend far past the borders of Kansas.
“We are taking a bold move to define our region a little differently,” Mason said. “We are taking our value in terms of affordability and blowing it up. We are going to, if approved, offer in-state tuition to 13 states.”
She said the proposal will give more students than ever the ability to access the low cost of FHSU compared to other area schools and bring more people to Hays.
Under the proposal students from Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming would have access to in-state tuition rates.
The plan would begin in the fall of 2022 and applies to students already on campus as well.
“It is possible that some of those students using our regional tuition will save money by going out of state if they go to Fort Hays State University,” Mason said.