Tuition: it could be worse

Iowa's three regent universities might do well to boost recruiting efforts in California. The University of California Board of Regents today approved a plan to raise undergraduate fees - the equivalent of tuition - 32 percent by next fall, to help make up for steep cuts in state funding, according to an article in the New York Times. The state allocation for California's 10-campus system was cut $813 million, or 20 percent, this year, leading to a hiring freeze, furloughs and layoffs, the Times article says.

The University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa are facing a combined cut of about $60 million this year, due to a 10 percent across-the-board cut to the state budget. Iowa's state regents are considering a 6 percent increase to base tuition next year at the UI, ISU and UNI. Tuition will be up for discussion at the Dec. 10 regents meeting, with a vote possible at that meeting.