NATCHEZ &045;&045; A 7.9 percent tuition increase at Alcorn State University may force some students to re-crunch their numbers.

&uot;We already have a mindset of what tuition is,&uot; said junior Kijhana Session, a nursing student at the Natchez branch.

&uot;I do see that as becoming a major problem. I see that as being a survival issue for some people.&uot;

ASU’s increase, making tuition $3,459, is the second highest percentage increase in the state. Mississippi Valley has a 12.3 percent increase.

ASU Executive Vice President Rudolph Waters said the increase was necessary.

&uot;Costs are going up,&uot; Waters said. &uot;We asked for an increase and the board allowed it, giving each institution what they needed.&uot;

The state College Board also approved a 5 percent room and a 5.1 percent board increase at ASU.

Session, who said she was lucky she only had to financially support herself, said every little bit makes a difference to many of the ASU students at the Natchez branch, many of which have families.

&uot;School is an extreme burden for some,&uot; Session said. &uot;It might end up being a problem with enrollment or drop-outs.&uot;

School of Nursing Dean Mary Hill said she hasn’t heard any complaints from students so far.

&uot;It’s a possibility that it could affect enrollment, but it would be minimal if any,&uot; Hill said.

Glenn Hall, a former IP employee who is now back in school in the nursing program, said the tuition increase would not affect him because he has state aid.

&uot;If I was paying it, in the situation I’m in right now, I probably couldn’t afford it,&uot; Hall said.

The increases across the state, ranging from 5 percent to Valley’s 12.3 percent, are expected to raise close to $12.8 million and some will go to faculty and staff raises.

Waters said the money would go toward increased operational expenses due to inflation and the athletics program, including women’s sports.