Hearings held on proposed tuition hikes

Colleges and universities across the state have begun Truth in Tuition hearings, which allow students and others to weigh in on proposed tuition increases.

The State Board of Regents has promised to keep first-tier tuition increases low, because government employees will not see significant raises in salary this year. First-tier tuition is set up to help schools compensate for benefit hikes and cost-of-living increases.

Schools set second-tier tuition individually, based on necessities faced by each campus.

Campus administrations have already faced multiple budget cuts, some nearing 20 percent. Revenue shortfalls prompted widespread layoffs, early retirement packages and program eliminations. Tuition increases of more than 30 percent would be required to make up for lost funds, but William A. Sederburg, Utah commissioner of higher education, has said he will not allow the financial burden to be shifted to students.

Utah Valley University already held a hearing on a 6 percent to 10 percent increase. Salt Lake Community College, which held a hearing Wednesday, is facing a second-tier tuition increase of up to 3 percent, the lowest in the state.

The College of Eastern Utah seeks a 5 percent to 6 percent increase, while other schools will decide to charge students anywhere from 5 percent to 11 percent more for tuition. Dixie State College, which has seen a significant enrollment bump, will likely set a higher tuition hike.

Check individual school Web sites for hearing times.

— Wendy Leonard