Full-time students may be facing an additional $100 charge per semester.

The Iowa Board of Regents plans to meet at Iowa State on June 20 to consider adding the surcharge to help with utility costs at the three Regent universities.

The fee, called the “Energy/Environment Surcharge,” would be considered a temporary fee and the Regents would consider long-term solutions this fall.

The surcharge is “encouragement for students and the universities to collaboratively reduce energy consumption on the campuses,” according to the June 20 agenda on the Regents Web site.

The charge would generate and additional $10.9 million for the academic year.

“I think it is a subject we have to discuss. I don’t have an opinion on it – up or down – yet,” said Teresa Wahlert, Regents president pro tempore.

Wahlert said she didn’t know who proposed the fee, nor did she know the likelihood it would be passed.

“Even if nothing happens, a discussion will help us all,” she said.

Wahlert said the Regents are working to keep tuition down through various avenues, such as eliminating duplicative resources.

Ashley Vespestad, junior in accounting, said she was unhappy with the proposal.

“It sucks,” she said.

Rather than increasing what students pay, Vespestad recommended the university look at alternative energy sources, such as wind and water.

“We are the fricking college of science and technology,” she said. “We should be able to work something out.”

Vespestad said she pays for school through loans.

The additional charge would raise tuition and fees from $5,860.16 to $6,060.16 for residents and from $16,354.16 to $16,554.16 for nonresidents.

ISU President Gregory Geoffroy was unavailable for comment.