Southern Oregon University

• 2005 - 2006 Catalog

Tuition and Fees

Business Services
Churchill 150
541-552-6311
http://www.sou.edu/bus_serv

All persons who attend classes at SOU must pay applicable tuition and fees.

Tuition, fees, and deposits in all of the state institutions of higher education are charged according to OUS Board-approved rates that vary at different institutions. The Oregon University System and Southern Oregon University reserve the right to make changes in the fee schedules following notice requirements.

Fee Schedule (2004–05)

Student Classification	Term	Year
Resident Undergraduate	$1,566	$4,697
Nonresident Undergraduate	5,049	15,146
Resident Graduate	3,018	9,053
Nonresident Graduate	5,049	15,146

The fees displayed above are based on tuition for 15 credits in 2004–05. Undergraduates registered for 13 to 16 credits and graduate students registered for 10 to 16 credits receive a reduced charge for each additional credit hour taken. These figures include $362.60 per term in mandatory fees. A $125 one-time matriculation fee is assessed all new and transfer students for orientation and placement programs for new students.

Note: The 2004–05 tuition and fees schedules were approved by the Oregon University System in June 2004. Tuition rates for 2005–06 will be announced at a later date.

Regular Fees

The fee schedule lists the regular fees paid by all students under the usual conditions. These fees entitle students to use Hannon Library, lab equipment, the computer lab, materials related to courses for which students are registered, and athletic facilities when available. Students are also entitled to outpatient medical attention and advice at the Student Health and Wellness Center and to all other services maintained for the benefit of students. No reduction of fees is made to students who may prefer not to use some of these privileges.

Note: In certain classes, additional fees may be charged for equipment, materials, or services required as part of course instruction. Such fees are published in the class schedule each term and are payable with regular fees. For certain courses, students may be required to provide or obtain proof of medical insurance coverage.

Fee Payment Policies

Students are encouraged to pay all charges in full at the onset of the quarter to avoid late fees or penalties. Tuition is due upon registration for classes. If payment in full cannot be made prior to the beginning of classes, SOU automatically activates the Revolving Charge Account Plan to extend payment deadlines for full payment of tuition.

In addition to the Revolving Charge Account Plan, there are various other ways to pay, including VISA or MasterCard (by phone or mail, in person, online via SISWeb, or electronic payment) and check or money order (by mail or in person). Students may deposit fee payment checks or money orders at the cashier windows in Churchill Hall or in drop boxes located in Britt Hall and Churchill Hall.

Students receiving grants, loans, or scholarships are required to use those funds to cover tuition and fees and may be ineligible for the Revolving Charge Account Plan unless financial aid is insufficient to cover all tuition, fees, and related expenses.

Participation in special programs may require specific fees. For example, study abroad or exchange programs may charge administrative fees. Students who decide not to attend classes for which they have registered must formally withdraw, or else they are expected to pay the tuition due. Students must notify the Office of the Registrar in person or online via SISWeb about cancellation of preregistration and upon withdrawal from any or all classes. Students who do not notify the registrar may be liable for payment of tuition assessed for classes they did not attend.

Although the University would prefer not to use such measures, it has the right to suspend the extension of credit and services; to withhold grade reports, transcripts, and graduation; and to deny or cancel registration of any student who has not paid or made arrangements to pay by designated payment deadlines. The right to extension of services may also be in jeopardy if students are in debt to any institution within the Oregon University System.

Students are advised to consult The Registration Handbook each term for specific payment deadlines and changes in fee policies. Business Services staff (located in Churchill Hall, room 150) are available to assist with particular circumstances or problems related to meeting a payment deadline.

There is a variety of ways to pay. Complete statements of University Fee Policies and Payment Plans are available in Business Services. Please ask a staff member for copies or an explanation of anything you do not understand.

Revolving Charge Account Plan

Students are encouraged to obtain a copy of the Revolving Charge Account Plan from Business Services. This plan, set out fully in Oregon Administrative Rule 573‑15‑010, is summarized below:

1. Any person who incurs charges, fines, or penalties at SOU establishes a Revolving Charge Account Plan (Plan) and, by default, agrees to its terms and conditions.
   
2. To use the Plan for the payment of tuition and fees, students must have paid any past due or noncurrent charges in full.
   
3. The Plan is designed to allow students to extend the time they have to pay current term charges. Instead of paying in full at the onset of the term, students may pay only the first third of tuition, the first half of residence hall charges, together with all other fees and charges by the initial due date for the term. The remainder of the account balance must be paid by the first day of the last month of the term: December 1 for fall, March 1 for winter, and June 1 for spring.
   
4. Students may formally request use of the Plan in one of two ways: (1) contact Business Services to receive an agreement to sign or (2) make the minimum payment allowed using one of the ways to pay cited above. Making the minimum payment indicates intent to use the Plan and willingness to abide by its terms and conditions. Students are still required to sign the Revolving Charge Account Plan Agreement since it discloses the terms and conditions of the Plan in full detail.
   
5. There is a $15 nonrefundable service charge each term for use of the Plan. Should the account become past due, 9 percent per annum interest is assessed on past due balances.
   
6. Course fees, application fees, and the like may not be deferred under the Plan. The Revolving Charge Account Plan is intended to extend the time allowable to pay tuition and residence hall fees only.
   
7. Past due accounts not paid in full by the onset of the next term may be subject to a 15-percent collection charge. We urge students to be mindful of all payment due dates.
   

Business Services staff are available to address any questions or concerns. Please visit the cashier windows in Churchill Hall or call 541-552‑6311 to speak to a staff member.

Part-Time Tuition and Fees

Instead of paying regular registration fees, undergraduate students who register for a maximum of 11 credits pay a part-time fee proportional to the applicable full-time fee.

Students taking 1–8 credits are assessed tuition and fees on the basis of course level rather than student level. These students may pay an additional fee if they wish to receive outpatient health services from the Student Health and Wellness Center.

Overload Fees

Undergraduate students are required to pay an overload fee for each credit in excess of 16. Graduate students must pay an overload fee for each credit in excess of 16.

Estimated Special Fees

Application Fee: $50

A $50 nonrefundable application fee is charged to all Southern Oregon University applicants. An application processing fee of $15 is charged to students who return to SOU after an absence of three or more terms; summer term is not counted.

Staff Rates

Staff members may register any term for a limited number of credits (generally not more than 12) at staff rates with the approval of the employee’s immediate supervisor and the president or executive head. Staff rates are $24 per credit (25 percent of the resident undergraduate tuition rate). To be eligible for these rates, staff must be employed at least half time.

Late Payment Fee: maximum $100 a term

Students making a payment after the scheduled fee payment dates of any term pay a late payment fee of $25 for the first day and $1 for each additional day. Students registered for 8 or fewer credits are assessed a late payment fee of $25 the first day and 50 cents for each additional day. This fee is nonrefundable. Maximum late fees are $100 a term combined for students registered for 9 or more credits, and $50 a term combined for students registered for 8 or fewer credits. If payments are made with a check that is returned due to an irregularity for which the student is responsible (e.g., NSF, illegible signature, or improper bank account number), a fine of up to $20 will be charged. In addition, if the returned check was used to pay tuition, a late charge will be assessed.

Late Registration Fee: $100 per term

A $100 late registration fee is charged to all students who complete a class but fail to register for that class. If a faculty member submits a grade for a student and the Registrar’s Office determines that the student never registered for the class, the late registration fee is assessed after the end of the term.

Returned Check Charges: $20

A fine of up to $20 may be assessed for a check that is returned for any irregularity. This is in addition to any late fees or collection costs otherwise incurred for charges not paid when due. Check-writing privileges may be denied if returned checks are not cleared within seven days of notice or if multiple checks are returned.

Replacement ID Cards: $15

A charge of $15 is assessed for replacement of ID cards. Unless lost or stolen, previously issued ID cards must be surrendered at the time of replacement.

Copies: $1

A copy fee is assessed for documents such as fee receipts, payroll records, and loan records. This $1 fee covers two copies of a single document with a minimum of $1 per document.

Testing

Each Institution-administered examination for credit is assessed at up to $80 per credit. Academic counseling and testing examination fees may be assessed at $30–$55 per exam.

Transcripts: $5

A fee of $5 is charged for the first official transcript. Each additional transcript ordered and sent at the same time costs $1 extra. Prepayment and student signature are required. An order form is available from the registrar or online at www.sou.edu/registrar; a written request will also suffice. Official transcripts may also be ordered on SISWeb with a credit card: www.sou.edu/sis. Transcript orders must include student name, ID number, date of birth, most recent term at SOU, address, phone number, signature, and payment. For release of official transcripts, the student account balance must be current. A minimum of five working days is required to process transcript orders. Options to expedite requests are available for an additional charge. Contact the Registrar’s Office at 541-552‑6600.

Graduation Applications

Degree applications are available at the Registration Center located in Britt 230. A $70 fee is charged to all students applying to graduate. This fee must be paid to Business Services prior to submitting the application for degree.

Senior Citizens: no charge

Unless the class is taken for credit, persons at least sixty-five years of age may attend classes free of charge, based on available space. If applicable, there are charges for special fees or materials. During Summer Session, the University may establish fees for senior citizens who are non-Oregon residents.

Library Fines and Charges

The following regulations govern library fines and charges:

1. A fine of $2 is assessed on the fourth day a book is overdue, plus 50 cents a day thereafter (maximum fine of $20 an item).
   
2. For overdue reserve items and videos, the fine is $2 for the first hour and 50 cents for each succeeding hour or portion thereof, until the item is returned (maximum fine of $20 an item). In the case of a flagrant rule violation, an additional charge of $2 an hour for each item may be assessed (maximum fine of $20 an item).
   
3. Books needed for course reserves are subject to immediate recall. A maximum fine of $2 a day (maximum fine of $20 an item) may be imposed for failure to return recalled books.
   
4. Borrowers who have lost library books are charged the replacement cost of the book plus the amount of the fines incurred up to the time the book is reported missing. An additional charge of $15 is assessed to cover the cost of processing.
   
5. When a lost book for which the borrower has been billed is returned before a replacement has been ordered, a refund not exceeding the replacement cost may be made at the librarian’s discretion. Note: Library fines and charges are subject to change.
   

Graduation

Students who are graduating pay the cost of cap and gown and other incidental expenses connected with commencement exercises. A student will not be recommended for graduation until all fees and charges due to the University have been paid.

Parking

All students, staff, and faculty who wish to park on campus must register their vehicles with Parking Services and operate them in compliance with SOU’s Parking Regulations, which may be obtained at the Churchill 150 cashier windows. Students who park on campus are assessed a parking fee in accordance with a schedule approved by the Oregon University System and filed with the Secretary of State. Permits may be purchased at the Business Services cashier windows in Churchill 150. For further information, please contact Parking Services at 541-552-6995.

Student Health Insurance

SOU provides a limited health insurance program for all students taking 9 or more credits during the fall, winter, and spring terms. Purchased automatically for students for a small fee each term, this limited plan is designed to assist with medical expenses for most minor illnesses and injuries, including lab charges. These students may also purchase SOU’s optional insurance program since the limited plan alone is not sufficient to cover major illnesses or injuries. This optional insurance program provides extended coverage for students and their eligible dependents. Note: This plan is subject to change.

Nonimmigrant foreign students are required to carry health insurance for themselves and their dependents.

All other students are encouraged to obtain health insurance for services not covered by the student health fees.

Tuition and Fee Credits

Students who reduce their number of class hours or who withdraw completely from the University may be eligible for a tuition/fee credit, but specific rules apply:

1. To qualify for a credit, students must withdraw during the refund period established by SOU (dates are available from the registrar and in The Registration Handbook publication).
   
2. After the refund period, students are responsible for 100 percent of tuition and fees.
   
3. When dropping a class or classes, students must notify the registrar in person or online through SISWeb. This action is an official, formal notification of withdrawal from a class or classes.
   
4. The withdrawal date is the date the Registrar’s Office receives a student’s official notification. Up until that date, a student is liable for the tuition for the class or classes. Any credit to a student’s account resulting from withdrawal is calculated from the date the official notification of withdrawal is received, not from the date a student stopped attending the class or classes.
   
5. Any tuition credit due to a student must first be applied to all debts owed to SOU, OUS, or financial aid programs.
   
6. If a student withdraws completely from SOU and has received financial aid, he or she may be required to repay some or all of that aid. If a student fails to formally withdraw from SOU by officially notifying the registrar in person or online through SISWeb, he or she may be required to repay all of his or her aid.
   
7. The application of credits to financial aid programs is a complex process governed by federal law. The student’s credit may not be adequate to repay monies due back to financial aid programs; it is possible that a student could owe money. Please contact Business Services at 541-552-6311 for more information.
   
8. No tuition/fee credits are issued for dropped classes taken by persons receiving staff rates.
   
9. Students who are called up for military service may receive a credit for all tuition and fees, depending on the date in the term they leave school.
   

Note: To be eligible for a 100-percent tuition credit, students must cancel their registration prior to the beginning of a class or classes. To cancel their registration for a class or classes, students must notify the registrar in person or online through SISWeb. Failure to do so will result in tuition charges.

If a credit balance results after the application of a tuition credit to any and all charges remaining on a student’s account, a check, MasterCard/VISA credit, or direct deposit is issued to the student. This procedure may take up to six weeks after partial or complete withdrawal.

Students who believe their special circumstances warrant consideration may appeal the procedures defined above by filing an appeal with a cashier in Business Services, Churchill Hall 150. However, in order for the Appeals Committee to consider an exception to the established policy, a student’s circumstances must be extraordinary.

Residency Policy

In Oregon, as in all other states, instruction fees at publicly supported four-year universities are higher for nonresident students than for resident students.

The current rules and amendments used to determine residency seek to ensure that only bona fide Oregon residents are assessed the resident fee. Please see www.sou.edu/registrar for the latest version of the residency policy (Oregon Administrative Rules, Chapter 580, Division 10, Board of Higher Education).

Western Undergraduate Exchange

Britt 242
541-552-6411

The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program enables students in fourteen participating states to enroll in designated programs at selected public colleges and universities at special tuition rates. Tuition for WUE students is regular in-state tuition of the institution the student will attend, plus 50 percent of that amount.

The following states are participating in the 2004–05 WUE program: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Non-Oregon residents from WUE states who would like to attend Southern Oregon University under WUE may apply for a WUE scholarship from the University Admissions Office for the following SOU BA/BS programs only: anthropology, art, business (accounting; marketing; management; or hotel, restaurant, and resort management), business-chemistry, business-math, music-business, business-physics, chemistry, communication (journalism, human communication, media arts, or media studies), computer science, criminology and criminal justice, economics, English and writing, environmental studies, geography, geology, health & PE, history, interdisciplinary studies, international studies, language and culture (French, German, or Spanish), mathematics, mathematics-computer science, music, physics, political science, sociology, and theatre. Contact Admissions for selection criteria and an application.