Big changes are coming to Case Western Reserve University this upcoming academic year. Unfortunately, though, big changes come with big price tags.

Provost and Executive Vice President William “Bud” Baeslack updated a small audience in Strosacker Auditorium on Feb. 6 about his proposed initiatives for the next academic year, mostly centered around enriching student living and educational experiences at CWRU.

Baeslack also announced that the undergraduate tuition will increase by 3.25 percent to $44,160.

The hike in tuition, according to Baeslack, will provide the funds necessary for additional strategic initiatives, operating costs of new and current student facilities, and attractive salaries to retain faculty and draw new hires.

Room and board rates will also increase by 3.75 percent and 3.26 percent, respectively, in order to facilitate the maintenance and repair required by existing dining and residential facilities, according to Baeslack.

Although the tuition is set to increase, Baeslack stressed that the original financial and merit aid packages will remain the same for current students.

Baeslack also announced a number of initiatives that will take place in the upcoming academic year. He spoke about new facilities, academic programs and advising services geared towards enhancing students’ experiences at CWRU.

The new student-oriented facilities will include a new residence hall in the North Residential Village, the new Milton and Tamar Maltz Performing Arts Center and a new location for think[box].

In terms of the undergraduate curriculum, new minors and concentrations, including creative writing, social justice and applied data science, are now available.

To keep up with the dynamic nature of academics at CWRU, there are also several changes to undergraduate advising that have been implemented. These changes include the enhancement of pre-professional career advising.

For students considering the pre-health track, there will be new interdisciplinary educational programs and more coordinated efforts to provide pre-health advising.

Another important investment for the upcoming academic year is the migration of the Student Information System to hosting by AT&T, which will enable accessibility.

Other technological investments include the new collaborative workstation housed in the Freedman Center at the Kelvin Smith Library and the creation of active learning classrooms in Thwing and Bingham.