Tuition dollars taking place of state funds

Only three schools funneled money toward direct student initiatives like financial aid or scholarships. Weber State University put the biggest chunk of its tuition increase towards those student initiatives because it comes directly out of students' pockets, said Mike Vaughn, WSU provost.

WSU leaders set aside $850,000 for initiatives such as scholarships, financial aid, service learning and outreach for multicultural students.

"Students are the most important thing for us. We try to provide the highest level of service we can," Vaughn said.

The U. did not put any money towards student initiatives, although Vice President of Budgeting Paul Brinkman said the funding breakdown could have lumped some student programs into other categories.

A new writing program at the U., for example, will get about $600,00 of the new tuition funds to expand course offerings for entry-level English courses.

In addition, money for classroom upgrades will benefit students directly, he said.

"It's an old university, sometimes you walk in here and say you've got tables, chairs and blackboard. Can we do any better than that? Nowadays you want some more electronic stuff," Brinkman said.

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