New Colorado State University - Pueblo budget includes $1.7 million in enhancements

COLORADO SPRINGS -- The 2008-09 budget for Colorado State University-Pueblo approved at a meeting today by the Colorado State University System Board of Governors includes nearly $2 million in quality enhancements and a tuition rate increase for resident undergraduate students that is less than that authorized by the Colorado Legislature last month.

The 2008-09 educational and general use budget for CSU-Pueblo of $37.1 million reflects a revenue increase of $4.1 million over last year, including $1.7 million from state funds. The $37.1 million budget does not include external dollars from research, auxiliary services, or capital projects because they are earmarked for specific purposes.

A full-time, resident undergraduate student at CSU-Pueblo will pay annual tuition of $3,422 for 2008-2009. This is an increase of $238 over the 2007-2008 academic year. Annual tuition for a full-time non-resident undergraduate student at CSU-Pueblo will not increase and will remain at $13,543. The total annual base cost of attendance for a full-time, resident student at CSU-Pueblo (which includes base tuition, mandatory student fees, and room and board, but excludes books) will be approximately $10,718.

CSU-Pueblo President Joseph Garcia said the full-time resident tuition increase of 7.5 percent is below the 9.5 percent authorized by the Colorado Legislature.

“Because we are sensitive to our students’ ability to pay and because of the nature of the competition within our market, we chose to increase tuition at a rate level lower than was authorized,” said Garcia. “We cannot lose sight of the importance of preserving our commitment to access for first generation students and those from lower and middle income families.”

Almost 60 percent of the new revenue will go to fund increases in mandatory costs such as utilities and salaries. The remaining $1.7 million, however, represents the first significant opportunity the University has had to reinvest in a variety of campus enhancements that align with the stretch goals approved by the CSU System Board of Governors:

• More than $1 million will support the addition of faculty and staff in high demand programs, especially those serving a first-time freshman class that is expected to increase dramatically in Fall, 2008.
• Close to $300,000 will be added to the University’s institutional financial aid program.
• Nearly $150,000 will fund faculty salary equity adjustments and increases in adjunct faculty pay.
• Another $150,000 will go to recruitment and retention efforts and increasing the University’s name recognition through marketing and advertising.

The 2008-09 budget is based on an expected undergraduate enrollment increase of 3.5 percent. Should enrollment exceed this projection, the University will be able to revisit the budget and realign allocations based on the actual enrollment achieved.



Colorado State University - Pueblo is a regional, comprehensive university emphasizing professional, career-oriented, and applied programs. Displaying excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and outreach, CSU-Pueblo is distinguished by access, opportunity, and the overall quality of services provided to its students.