Some UI students could see higher tuition rate increases than originally proposed

IOWA CITY — Less than a week after the Board of Regents aired a proposal to increase tuition rates across its three campuses, the University of Iowa is asking that some of its students see an even bigger hike than originally proposed.

Proposed tuition rates for the upcoming academic year now include differential increases for certain UI programs, with non-resident students taking 'upper division' business courses paying $800 more, for example, and non-resident students taking 'upper division' engineering courses paying $750 more.

Last week's proposal included a $300 increase for resident undergraduate students at UI, Iowa State University, and University of Northern Iowa — and that hasn't changed. The institutions differed on increases for non-resident students at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional level — but the highest increase at that time was $400 for UI graduate students from outside Iowa.

UI spokeswoman Jeneane Beck said the institution is proposing even higher tuition hikes for some students because 'certain majors or programs are more expensive to provide than others.'

'To remain a leader in these programs, we need top notch faculty, state of the art laboratory space and research equipment, and dedicated support staff,' she said in an email. 'Differential tuition allows us to more fairly distribute the cost to students studying in those programs.'

ISU and UNI officials have not adjusted their tuition increase proposals from last week. ISU still is proposing charging non-resident undergraduates, graduate, and professional students no more than $100 more. UNI still is proposing $300 increases for all students — regardless of residency or academic endeavor.

The Board of Regents will consider the tuition-hike proposals at its meeting on Thursday. If approved, the differential tuition for UI students will bring the anticipated revenue bump from $19.9 million to $21.1 million.

Regent officials have tied the need for tuition increases to shortcomings in state appropriations. The board had asked lawmakers to increase general education funding for the upcoming budget year by $20.34 million — $4.5 million for UI, $8.2 million for ISU, and $7.7 million for UNI.

The Legislature instead approved a general fund increase of $6.3 million, translating to $1.3 million more for UI, $2.2 million more for ISU, and $2.8 million more for UNI.

This is the second consecutive year regents have proposed tuition increases after state shortcomings. The board last year approved a $200 annual increase for resident undergraduate students — with the hike taking effect in the spring semester at ISU and UNI and in the upcoming fall semester at UI.

Because that $200 bump hasn't yet taken effect at the University of Iowa, resident undergraduate students will be paying $500 more next fall than last — if the board approves the increases.

And, as far as differential tuition goes, UI students in different business and engineering programs already were facing increases for next fall. Business upper division students from outside Iowa were looking at a $550 bump, meaning the new proposal could bring their total increase to $1,350 over last fall.

The UI amendment comes just days after Gov. Terry Branstad said on Iowa Public Television's Iowa Press program that the proposed $300 increase for resident undergraduate students is 'too much.'

'I'm concerned about too big an increase, especially with the financial hardships that families are facing,' Brandstad said. 'I understand the regents have to balance the needs of the universities with the impact that it's going to have on the students and their families. But I for one would like to see those tuition increases kept modest so we can keep our university tuition affordable for Iowa students.'

Branstad stressed the increases are merely proposals right now, and the board hasn't taken action.

'I think they need to look at the impact it's going to have on Iowa students and their families, especially this late, because the fall school year is not that far away,' he said. 'I think we have to be careful about it.'

Proposed UI tuition increases:

Undergraduate resident $300

Undergraduate non-resident $400

Business lower division resident $500

Business lower division non-resident $600

Business upper division resident $700

Business upper division non-resident $800

Engineering second year resident $500

Engineering second year non-resident $600

Engineering upper division resident $650

Engineering upper division non-resident $750

Graduate resident $300

Graduate non-resident $400

Professional resident $300

Professional non-resident $400