Regents defer tuition increase vote to February

The state Board of Regents will delay the vote on the 2010-2011 tuition increase until its February meeting, regents President David Miles said today.

The regents will hold a telephonic meeting Dec. 10 and were to vote on a proposed 6 percent tuition increase then. But the state will hold a revenue estimating conference on Dec. 11, and Miles said regents want to hear the most current state budget projections before deciding on next year's tuition.

"This is particularly important to ensure the Board is approving tuition rates that carefully consider all economic factors, as well as the critical need to preserve the quality and affordability of Iowa's public universities, particularly in response to the fundamental needs of Iowa students and their families," Miles said in a statement.

The board will, on Dec. 10, vote on a proposed $100 tuition surcharge for the spring semester for students at the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa. The board gave that surcharge preliminary approval in October.

The board also expects to hear a site recommendation from UI officials for a rebuilt Hancher/Voxman/Clapp complex at the Feb. 4 meeting in Ames.