Tentative boosts in tuition heard

KAYSVILLE — The fate of public college tuition in Utah is now hanging in the balance.

The State Board of Regents Friday heard tentative numbers on second-tier tuition increases from college presidents. That increase would be added to a 4.5 percent first-tier hike that regents already approved.

"This is getting to be, as it ought to be, an item of concern to students," said regents chairman Nolan Karras.

The second-tier figures from presidents could go up or down, depending on whether the 2004 Legislature comes up with enough state money for higher education.

After some meetings with students — more meetings are planned — presidents proposed the following numbers and ranges:

• Weber State University — 7 percent

• University of Utah — 5-7 percent (possibly higher for graduate level courses)

• Southern Utah University — 5-8 percent

• Utah Valley State College — 7-10 percent

• College of Eastern Utah — 3-5 percent

• Salt Lake Community College — 3-5 percent

• Utah State University — 4 percent

• Snow College — 4-6 percent

• Dixie State College — 3-5 percent.

In most cases, the revenue raised through the second-tier increases will go toward increased compensation for faculty and staff, funding new students, expansion of class sections and more student support services.

SLCC, however, is already saying it will use the total amount of revenues from the increase to fund pay raises.

SLCC student body president Trenton Kemp said the Utah Council of Student Body Presidents supports a second-tier increase, calling it a "necessary evil," but the hope is that the new numbers don't exceed 7 percent.

USU is looking at using $1.2 million of the increase for its "wildly" underfunded library, according to President Kermit Hall. The rest could go to meet fuel and power costs.

Regent David Jordan praised USU for its "carefully crafted" way of including students in the process of deciding how much of an increase to put forward.

Before regents make a final determination in March on the increase, it's a requirement that students be given a clear idea of just how the money will be spent.

The next step is that legislators will be made aware of what presidents are proposing as lawmakers head into their 45-day session, which starts next week.

If presidents stick to the proposals made Friday, this will mark the fourth year since the institutional-generated increases first appeared in Utah. And the fourth year that most students will see at least a 10 percent total tuition increase. Some increases were much higher, such as the 23.5 percent increase last year at SUU.

Echoing the sentiment of college presidents, Karras said the Utah higher education system is about at the end of its rope in terms of consecutive tuition increases. Karras and Commissioner of Higher Education Rich Kendell called for an emphasis on other ways to raise revenue if the state can't do its part.

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E-mail: sspeckman@desnews.com