Regents to mull over tuition increase at next meeting
Tuition and fee increases of up to 25 percent for the spring 2009 semester will be discussed early next month as the Nevada System of Higher Education seeks to ease the burden of a faltering state budget.
The governor’s office recently told all state agencies to expect an additional and immediate 4, 7 or 11 percent budget cut, in addition to the already called-for 14 percent budget cuts, said NSHE Vice Chancellor Dan Klaich. For NSHE, that would mean immediate cuts of $46 million, he said.
“Those are nearly impossible numbers for us to make cuts for,” Klaich said.
Chancellor Jim Rogers suggested the 25 percent tuition increase “to attach a degree of magnitude” to the problems facing NSHE and to possible solutions, Klaich said. The extra 25 percent would likely bridge the gap between the college’s needs and the state budget cut, Klaich said.
Rogers was traveling Tuesday and unavailable for comment.
A 25 percent increase would mean an extra $816 for 12 undergraduate credits, Klaich said. Any increase will also be on top of the previously approved 5 percent tuition hike, he said.
University of Nevada, Reno President Milton Glick said he has not been a part of a serious discussion about the proposal.
“I think the chancellor is looking to fill the gap and save academic programs,” Glick said. “No one would be happy about a 25 percent increase, but if we could get the dollars then it could be a positive situation.”
For UNR, the increase could amount to millions of dollars that officials could use to create more financial aid or fund programs, Glick said.
Glick and Klaich said they do not believe the regents will vote on the proposal, but will instead discuss the potential impact.
Klaich said any emergency increase will happen only if the state government enforces the “catastrophic” increases.
“It’s really too early to tell right now,” he said. “I hope that it won’t be necessary.”
He stressed that nothing regarding tuition or fee increase is set in stone. He said he would want students involved in any tuition discussions, but, if the state budget continues to sour, state and NSHE officials might need to act quickly to stem the hemorrhage of money from college budgets.
A bill set to go before the state legislature will ensure that all future fee and tuition increases will go back to the schools, Klaich said.
“None of us wants to impose higher fees unless there is something we can show for it,” he said.
The Nevada Sagebrush staff can be reached at editor@nevadasagebrush.com.
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November 29th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
‘For UNR, the increase could amount to millions of dollars that officials could use to create more financial aid or fund programs, Glick said.’
Was this dreamed up by an LSD research team? Give money away-lose money-get more money-give it away??