Monday, February 19, 2007

Tuition Increase

President Randy Dunn announced, in a tuition forum Friday, that he would propose to the Board of Regents an 8.4 percent tuition increase for next year. Currently, students pay $4,998 per year. The increase would mean students would pay $5,418 a year.

University officials also announced an increase in Residential College rates. Students may pay $1,518 for a double room or $2,429 for a private room. However, students who plan to live in the new Clark Residential College can expect to pay $500 more than students in other Colleges. The rates to live in Clark could be about $2,018 for a double room or $3,229 for a private room. Those living in Clark College should expect an increase because of the new facility and its features. The increase will also help pay the bonds the University used to build the College.

Dunn plans to present the recommended increases to the Board of Regents this Friday.

What are your thoughts on tuition and room and board increases? Will the extra fee to live in Clark change your living situation in the Residential Colleges? What do you think the University should do (if anything) to aid students with the cost?


Emily

Thursday, February 1, 2007

GUILTY

Harrison Yonts was found guilty on all charges. Check out The News tomorrow on newsstands across campus for all the details.

The Jury is Out

The wanton murder trial of Harrison Yonts was handed over to the jury today at approximately 12:50 p.m. Closing arguments began this morning at 10:25, with Dennis Null of the defense arguing first. Similar themes that have been present throughout the defense's questioning were mentioned in the closing statement, and particular emphasis was again placed on the charge of tampering with evidence. For the first time the defense ventured an explanation for the glass shards found on Yonts's pants and toboggan, saying that the person who drove his car came into his room to return the keys, getting glass shards on his pants. Arguments were also made that had Yonts been driving his clothing would've been covered in a fine glass dust; it was not. Additionally, the defense said that had he been driving, his shirt and the bathroom where his shirt was left would've been littered with glass as the entryway had been. The defense continued its attack on the Murray Police Department and particularly lead detective Kendra Smith for failure to conduct a thorough investigation, even going as far as to suggest that jurors should make a note on their verdict forms indicating their desire to see an investigation continue on this case.

After more than an hour and a half of arguments from the defense, the court recessed briefly before the state began its closing arguments. Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Jim Harris told that jurors that he did not intend to interpret the information they had been presented throughout the trial, but that he was confident the facts would speak for themselves. He reminded the jury of key pieces of information regarding the events of Nov. 10, 2005 on the part of both Shaheen and Yonts, and refuted several arguments made by the defense, including the proposal that Shaheen had left her apartment after returning home from the lab - a point supported by the backpack she was wearing when she left the Hart College Computer lab that was found on the scene. The backpack was filled with study-related items. Harris implored the jury to return a guilty verdict. "If not now, when?" Harris said. "If not us, who?"

After the closing arguments ceased, two jurors were dismissed in accordance with an earlier decision to have two alternate jurors watch the proceedings. The jury is now in deliberation, and The Murray State News will be there for the announcement of a verdict. Check back with The News Blogs and thenews.org, and of course with our Friday edition.


--Elizabeth