Regents propose 6 percent college tuition hike

The state Board of Regents next week will consider a $100 one-time tuition surcharge for spring semester, and a 6 percent increase to base tuition next fall at the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa.

The proposed 6 percent increase to base tuition is for in-state undergraduates. Combined with proposed increases in mandatory fees, the total proposed increase in tuition and fees for 2010-11 is 8.7 percent at the UI, 5.2 percent at ISU and 5.6 percent at UNI.

The regents meet Thursday in Cedar Falls. Information for the meeting was released this morning. The regents will discuss tuition, but the final vote won't happen until December.

Non-resident students would see base tuition increases of 6 percent at the UI, 4.1 percent at ISU and 3 percent at UNI.

The proposed 6 percent increase is higher than expected education inflation. The Higher Education Price Index, which measures expected inflation, is 1.8 percent to 3.5 percent, with a midpoint of 2.7 percent.

But a 10 percent across-the-board state budget cut requires the regent system to trim nearly $60 million from this year's budget. And tuition for the first time now makes up more than half of the general fund budgets at the UI, ISU and UNI, as state funding has made up less and less of the equation in recent years.

The 6 percent increase is necessary to ensure a high-quality education for students as other funding sources falter, regents office staff said in the meeting information.

The increase would make base tuition next fall $6,128 for resident undergrads at the UI and $6,102 at ISU and UNI.

The UI and ISU each have to cut nearly $25 million from this year's budget. UNI must cut about $9 million.

The regents asked university leaders to consider eight budget-cutting options as they plan budget presentations for Thursday's meeting. The options include temporary or permanent layoffs, changes to benefits, temporary salary reductions, a one-time tuition surcharge this spring, and the sale of non-essential assets.

Several regents at a meeting last week said they would not favor a one-time tuition surcharge in the spring if the board also plans on a larger tuition hike for next year.