If the ugliest alignment of planets occurs, tuition at Utah's public colleges and universities could jump by 17 percent to 19 percent.

That's the warning shot the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee heard Thursday from Utah Commissioner of Higher Education Rich Kendell.

"Rolling it all up, it's not a pretty sight," Kendell said after the meeting.

Less-than-anticipated state revenues or too much money going into roads have Kendell not ruling out a huge tuition hike.

Kendell anticipates, however, that the 2005 Legislature will have enough money to go around and that the committee will do what it can to see that such an increase doesn't happen because of any lack of state funding.

Still, Kendell may have cause to worry.

On Wednesday, transportation planners and representatives from cities and counties met with Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert to present a plan that calls for $4.5 billion in transportation funding over the next 10 years.

Herbert appeared to be supportive of the proposal, said Chuck Chappell, chair of the Wasatch Front Regional Council — and House and Senate leadership appears to also be on board when it comes to other funding mechanisms.

"House Speaker (Greg) Curtis essentially indicated that the House has agreed to increase the money out of the governors budget by $85 million," he said. "With that amount, that would double the funding. Looks like the House has recognized the need."

Students now have their own set of worries, which are that they can't afford yet another big increase and that the extra revenues from the added tuition won't fund their priorities.

Utah System of Higher Education priorities are to use at least an initial 3.18 percent tuition increase to fund a 2.5 percent cost of living increase for staff and faculty at the state's 10 public institutions. USHE wants to tack on another .5 percent to increase need-based financial aid coffers by $1.5 million

Carrie Flamm, executive director of the Utah Student Association, told lawmakers that students want the state, not students, to fund the increase in financial aid. Students' main goal is for the state to find $2 million to improve career and course advisement at schools.

There has been a tuition increase every year for students at Utah's public institutions since the 1996-97 school year.

The biggest unknown factor for students is the anticipated increase in second-tier tuition, which was over 6 percent the last two years. Revenues from this second tier are supposed to be used on areas agreed upon by students and institution administrators.

Lawmakers reminded student leaders at the meeting that their tuition, though continually increasing, is still below what most peer institutions charge in other states, with the exception of Salt Lake Community College.

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E-mail: sspeckman@desnews.com; nwarburton@desnews.com