Board of Trustees Sets Tuition, Reviews Mission and Campus Development

During its March 2007 meeting, the Dartmouth Board of Trustees discussed a revised statement of the College's mission proposed by President James Wright. The Board's review followed from Wright's introduction of the document, and his request for comments on it, in a mid-February letter to the Dartmouth community. Chairman of the Board William H. Neukom '64 commented, "The Trustees are delighted with the extent of feedback on the mission statement and the overwhelmingly positive nature of the suggestions."

The Board set the College's tuition for the 2007-2008 academic year at $34,965, an increase of 5 percent (or $1,668) over the current year's tuition rate. With room, board, and mandatory fees, next year's overall charges will be $45,483. The rates apply to all undergraduates as well as students in the arts and sciences and Thayer School of Engineering graduate programs. Dartmouth Medical School will see a 5 percent tuition increase, and the Tuck School of Business a 5.8 percent increase.

Dartmouth remains committed to a need-blind admissions policy for students from the United States, and continues to increase financial aid for international students. President Wright says, "Our goal in setting tuition and financial aid policies is to keep a Dartmouth education accessible to talented students, regardless of their financial circumstances, while we also enhance the quality of the Dartmouth experience." He notes that tuition covers only about half the cost of providing a Dartmouth education, with the balance being met through the endowment and annual giving.

The Board also discussed master planning for the next stages in campus development as well as financing for planned new facilities for the life sciences, visual arts, and dining, and reviewed and approved the latest update of the affirmative-action plan.

The Board of Trustees will meet next in Hanover June 8 and 9, and will participate in Commencement on Sunday, June 10, 2007. Read more about the March Board meeting.

By ROLAND ADAMS

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