Enrollments, however, continue to rise, but more slowly than in previous years. Enrollments rose this fall by around 1 percent systemwide. Last year, they grew by 4.4 percent.

Tuition increases cannot be laid solely at the governor's feet. Students could have taken action, especially via the ballot box, said Addy Hall, Weber State University Student Association executive vice president.

"I don't think our message is getting across. They're not hearing us, because we're not voting," she said. "We needed to vote more to let them know we're serious, and let them know we're an important part of the people they're going to be taking care of."

Leavitt also happens to be one of the people affected by tuition. "You're talking to a guy who's got four kids in college."

Still, he says Utah's tuition is relatively low compared to other states.

"We've had to fight for every dollar to go to higher ed, and the fact I've been able to hold it essentially harmless during periods when we've had radical and dramatic changes financially, I see that as part of my success. I'm pleased with that."

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E-mail: jtcook@desnews.com