Students looking for tutoring help will have to fork over more dough as fees increase this semester.

University Tutoring Services will provide tutoring for any enrolled student at the UA for a fee of $25, which can be put on the student's bursar's account. Once the student has paid the fee, they can receive unlimited tutoring throughout the semester.

"We hated having to charge students," said Lynne Tronsdal, associate dean of University School. "We finally decided we would rather charge a fee then cut back tutoring services to students."

University Learning Center, which previously offered free evening tutoring to students, merged with the Department of Multicultural Programs and Services, an advising center for minorities and other disadvantaged students, to create University Tutoring Services.

The two programs merged after last year's budget cuts threatened to shut them down.

The budget cuts also forced each division of undergraduate education to cut a percentage of their spending, said Guillermo Uribe, director of the University Learning Center.

The majority of funds that were cut back were located in the operating budget, the part of the budget that pays for the tutors.

By merging the two separate tutoring centers and becoming University Tutoring Services, resources were pooled, such as tutors and acquired funds that were received over time, Uribe said.

Administrators for both centers decided to pay for the tutors with the new $25 fee, Uribe said.

"The fee was calculated to break even," Uribe said. "It is only going to pay for the tutors salaries, we are not making any money on it at all."

Students involved in programs from the department of multicultural programs and services such as the Student Enrichment Program, NewStart and MERITS will have the tutoring fee paid for by the department, said Lynette Cook-Francis, director of multicultural programs and services.

Kara Piepmeyer, nursing junior, said the fee seems expensive, especially for those students who will only use the tutoring services a few times a semester.

"The all-day hours are more convenient then before when it was only offered at night," Piepmeyer said. "But I really appreciated the tutoring when it was free."

Tutoring will be available for almost all high-demand courses such as math, Spanish, chemistry, physics and accounting, on a drop-in basis. Students who need tutoring for other courses can stop by the tutoring center in Old Main, and request a tutor in that specific course.

"Any course students need help in we will work with the instructor and find them someone who can help," Tronsdal said.

University Tutoring will have no time limits for tutoring sessions, Tronsdal said. She encourages students to request tutoring for any course provided on campus.

Kenneth Sheely, agricultural business freshman, said if his grades get bad enough he will definitely use the tutoring center.

"The fee of $25 is nothing compared to the money you already spend to go to school here," Sheely said.

Many students have already paid the fee and are starting tutoring immediately, said Uribe.

"Once the fee has been paid we hope that encourages students to use the tutoring center more often," Uribe said.

University Tutoring Services is located on the lower level of Old Main, 1200 E. University Blvd. Interested students can register for tutoring in the tutoring offices anytime during regular office hours.

Once the fee has been paid students can receive drop-in tutoring during office hours, Monday through Thursday 11-9 p.m., Friday 11-3 p.m. and Sunday from 5-9 p.m.