With the tuition-setting process underway for the 2018–19 academic year, Vice President for Student Life Kevin Marbury and student body President Amy Schenk sent a joint letter to the UO’s student body to outline the process, highlight resources for more information and provide opportunities for students to participate in the conversation.

The UO’s tuition rate will ultimately be determined by the Board of Trustees of the University of Oregon at its March 1–2 meeting after reviewing recommendations from the administration. The recommendations that the soard will consider stem from those developed by the Tuition and Fee Advisory Board, a group comprising faculty and staff members and student representatives.

Leading up to the vote, students will have multiple opportunities to comment through a public comment period, open forums and Tuition and Fee Advisory Board meetings.

The Associated Students of the University of Oregon is hosting the first open forum for students at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, in the EMU ballroom. The forum will provide students with an opportunity to learn more, ask questions and provide feedback.

The event will include a presentation on the UO’s current budget landscape and the cost drivers the university needs to consider while setting levels for tuition and fees for the coming academic year.

The letter from Marbury and Schenk also highlighted resources that students can reference for up-to-date information about the cost of education, the tuition-setting process, cost-drivers and other factors that go into setting tuition and fees. The UO’s tuition website is one of these resources and tracks university efforts to develop a tuition plan that values excellence in teaching and research in an environment of limited state support.

Students will also be able to find regular updates through Around the O, social media and materials developed by the ASUO.