The University of Texas System Board of Regents approved UT Tyler’s operating budget of $68,978,999 for the 2006-07 fiscal year, President Rodney H. Mabry announced.

“For the seventh consecutive fall, UT Tyler expects to register the largest enrollment in its history. Over 6,000 students will begin classes in August. Between 2000 and 2005, UT Tyler’s enrollment has increased 88 percent,” President Mabry said.

The new budget is 11 percent larger than last year. The increase represents expenses resulting from growth such as new faculty, financial aid and scholarships, additional adjunct and summer course expansions and increases in power plant infrastructure to support new buildings.

“The other set of factors increasing UT Tyler's budget include all the elements of a developing university such as new millions passing through the budget for housing, food service and much increased research,” he added.

The University budget reflects the addition of two major facilities, Bill Ratliff Engineering and Sciences Complex and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Z. Ornelas Residence Hall.

The 60,000 square foot Ratliff Building South will house the civil engineering and chemistry departments. The 268-bed Ornelas Residence Hall also opens this fall in the heart of the campus.

Further expenditure increases include additional support staff and institutional initiatives such as sponsored research, supplemental instruction, disability support and information technology services. The budget also includes a three percent average salary increase for employees.

Major revenue sources for the 2006-07 budget include state appropriations, tuition and fees, federal and state sponsored programs, auxiliary enterprises such as the athletics program, student housing and the UT Tyler R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center and private gifts.

Increases in designated tuition for fall 2006 will generate approximately $1.4 million in additional revenue. This represents increased revenues from enrollment growth and tuition increases of $10 per undergraduate and graduate semester credit hour and a $46 per student increase in the basic computing access fee to provide state-of-the-art computing services for undergraduate and graduate students.

“We are certainly continuing our commitment to our students that additional funds generated from tuition increases will be tied directly to improvements in the academic program and new financial aid programs,” President Mabry said.

Approximately $700,000 of the designated tuition increase will be allocated to scholarship and financial aid to help offset the tuition increase.

One of the 15 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler offers excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 70 undergraduate and graduate degree programs are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of more than 6,000 high-ability students at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine.