By Illinois Radio Network

CARBONDALE – Southern Illinois University trustees are raising tuition even as enrollment at the school’s main campus is dropping.

Southern Illinois University’s Carbondale campus is seeing its lowest student headcount since the 1970s. Enrollment for this spring fell about 7 percent from last year, but SIU trustees are moving ahead with a tuition increase nonetheless.

SIU spokeswoman Rae Morrow Goldsmith explained tuition at the main campus will jump nearly 4 percent next fall.

“If you’re an incoming student, and you’re going to stay in student housing, which most do, your total cost for the year will be $23,203,” said Goldsmith.

Goldsmith said SIU leaders understand that costs for students are a concern, but say the cost of doing business is going up.

“The decision about where to go (to college) is obviously a personal choice,” said Goldsmith. “What programs are you interested in? The feel of the campus, your visit to the campus. Cost is one factor. But it’s not the only factor.”

Goldsmith said SIU has no plans “in the immediate future” to use the tuition increase to offer raises to university professors or administrators.

SIU trustees are also raising tuition and fees at the school’s Edwardsville campus.