The University of Oregon has launched a new website designed to help educate the university community on the UO’s tuition-and-fee-setting process, while transparently providing details on cost drivers and other influences.

The site, uoregon.edu/tuition, was developed through a partnership between the divisions of University Communications and Finance and Administration and presents key financial data and relevant materials in one accessible location to help students and families understand this complex issue.

“The tuition and fee setting process can be controversial and confusing,” said Kyle Henley, vice president for university communications. “Our goal in building this new site was to increase understanding and transparency for students, parents and other stakeholders by putting clear and easy-to-understand information about the process, cost drivers and historical trends in a central place.

“Ultimately, it’s about creating an asset that helps the campus stay informed and participate. It will continue to evolve and we want input to help us make it better.”

The new tuition and fees website will track university efforts to develop a tuition plan that values excellence in teaching and research in an environment of limited state support. It outlines the major cost drivers of academic operations, the critical investments that tuition helps fund and the financial challenges the university faces due to public disinvestment in education.

“We have a passionate student body that wants to understand the complexities and challenges of setting tuition and fees,” said Jamie Moffitt, vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer. “We hope this website will help the campus community to better understand the university’s process and the challenges to delivering an excellent education and student experience with limited state support. Students and their families can access the key data and financial information that help determine their tuition and fees, and find opportunities to participate in the conversation.”

The website also highlights what the university is doing to remain affordable and accessible to qualified Oregonians in an environment of declining public support.

As the tuition-setting process unfolds in the coming months, the website will be updated with the financial data and budgetary information that the Tuition and Fee Advisory Board is reviewing as it develops advice and counsel for the provost on tuition rates and other costs of education. The group, comprised of faculty, staff and students, met for the first time this academic year Nov. 11 and will meet regularly to consider the UO’s tuition and fees until it provides recommendations to the provost in early February.

Ultimately, the president will assess all input and make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees of the University of Oregon for consideration in March 2017.