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AP: Regents OK tuition increase
Published 6/26/2009 in News : Education
TOPEKA (AP) — The Kansas Board of Regents approved tuition increases Thursday for the 2009-10 academic year, a moved aimed at replacing funds cut by state legislators.
The increases range from 3.9 percent to 8.5 percent for in-state undergraduate residents and from 3.9 percent to 7.5 percent for out-of-state undergraduate residents. Tuition will increase for graduate students by 3.9 percent to 7.5 percent.
The board also approved increases in course fees and restricted use fees, such as those for recreation centers or student unions, which are paid by students as part of enrollment.
The increases were the regents' response to a 10 percent reduction in state spending on the six state university campuses, enacted during the 2009 legislative session that ended in May. The nine-member board's discussion Thursday focused on the weak economy and likely further budget reductions.
"This is a special time that we haven't seen in our lifetimes, unless you're in your 80s or 90s," said regent Dan Lykins, who read a litany of cuts in university staff and programs.
Regents also approved allowing the campuses to use one-third of their federal stimulus dollars to mitigate tuition increases by supplanting the loss in state dollars or increasing student financial aid. The other two-thirds will be used to address deferred maintenance projects.
Ed Hammond, president of Fort Hays State University, said he would use the money for projects that would benefit the Hays campus while stimulating the local economy.
"I am concerned about the future economy of Kansas and what it may do to our budgets," Hammond said.
The projects at Fort Hays and other campuses include refurbishing or rehabilitating buildings that are in need of roofing, ventilation or electrical repairs that have been delayed because of inadequate maintenance funds. The regents estimate the backlog of projects to be nearly $900 million statewide.
University leaders and regents said the tuition increases were necessary to maintain a quality education.
Some of the cuts already imposed include a reduction in nursing faculty and graduate teaching assistants, leading to larger class sizes or reductions in course offerings. Lykins said the changes would cause some students to take longer to graduate because of the availability of classes required for their degrees.
Some regents worried that the increases would price college out of some Kansans' reach, especially in a state where 6.9 percent of the population is unemployed.
Regent Gary Sherrer, a former lieutenant governor, said higher education isn't immune from the pain felt during a recession as other industries lay off or furlough employees.
"That's the economic reality that we have to come to grips with," Sherrer said. "To not participate in that reality is not realistic and not very fair to Kansans."
He voted against the increases for the University of Kansas and Wichita State, which on Thursday were raised an additional 1 to 2 percent on top of the increases proposed in May in anticipation of further state spending cuts.
Kansas will raise tuition for all undergraduates by 6 percent. Freshmen participating in a compact that freezes tuition for four years would pay 7 percent more. Wichita State is raising in-state undergraduate and graduate tuition by 8.5 percent and by 6 percent for out-of-state in both categories.
Cuts are expected to be made by Gov. Mark Parkinson this summer as state revenues continue to slump. The state collected $103 million less in taxes in May than anticipated and revenues are expected to be off in June. Kansas begins its new fiscal year on July 1.
"We don't know what the governor is going to do. There is a lot of uncertainty out there," regent Janie Perkins said. "It's not fair to come back mid year and have to raise (tuition) again."
Thursday was the final meeting for three of the six university leaders. University of Kansas Chancellor Robert Hemenway, Kansas State President Jon Wefald and Pittsburg State President Tom Bryant are retiring. Replacements have been named for all three.
On the Web:
Kansas Board of Regents: http://www.kansasregents.org
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