MSU President M. Peter McPherson discussed options for encouraging students to graduate in four years at ASMSU's Academic Assembly meeting Tuesday night.
It is the first time McPherson has met with anyone regarding block tuition since mentioning it in his State of the University address in February.
"I came to lay out thoughts and ideas, not any specific action," McPherson said, adding that MSU students collectively would save about $10 million if they graduated within four years instead of five. The average graduation rate currently is 4.5 years.
Members of MSU's undergraduate student government voiced their opinions on block tuition and a new concept that would increase tuition costs for fifth-year seniors.
"He wanted to introduce this idea, and made it very clear he wanted student input," assembly chairperson Jared English said.
McPherson proposed an idea where students would pay more in tuition for a fifth year. The increased fees would be enough to provide an incentive to graduate within four years, but not enough to make funding impossible, he said.
"The goal for fifth-year tuition is to not collect it," he said.
The policy would affect future incoming freshmen, and a variety of exempt students were discussed.
Students in longer programs, such as those in the colleges of Engineering and Education, students working 30 or more hours per week and students with dual majors all were considered because it can be more difficult for them to graduate within four years.
"If you put together the amount of exceptions, it's a large part of the population," said Michelle Beaujean, ASMSU's College of Education representative. "Who is it he's really trying to target?"
McPherson said that is something he is working to decide, as the idea still is developing.
"The four-year expectation would force the institution to look at things in a new way," McPherson said.
Four years would be four enrolled calendar years, including summer semesters, he said.
In addition to tuition changes, McPherson addressed other factors that would contribute to shorter graduation times.
Increasing credit loads was one way, McPherson said, and admitted re-evaluating advisers and prerequisites could help students graduate earlier.
He said advisers could encourage incoming freshmen to take 15-credit semesters instead of a lighter 12- or 13-credit load.
Women's Council representative Anne Bresler agreed, and added that advisers also should make sure students are taking classes that apply toward their major.
Small classes that students must postpone taking because they fill quickly was another concern, and several assembly members referred to students being "punished" by encouraging a four-year plan.
