Rising tuition is problem for all state schools
Utah State University’s proposed 43 percent tuition increase over the next three years is not the only increase when it comes to rising tuition costs.
Higher education institutions across Utah are feeling the pressure of legislative funding cuts and a rise in tuition seem to be the only answer.
Utah Valley State College will hold an open meeting Wednesday to announce a proposed 5 to 8 percent increase in resident and non-resident tuition.
“UVSC is the most under-funded higher education institution and we haven’t gotten the dollars from the Legislature to correct that,” UVSC spokesperson Heather Barnum said.
Southern Utah University is feeling the financial burden as well.
“The economic climate demands increases in tuition,” said Renee Ballenger, SUU director of news service.
SUU will be holding an open meeting, “Truth in tuition,” March 3 to announce and explain any changes in tuition. Weber State University also recently announced the need to increase tuition.
WSU President F. Ann Milner announced, at a town meeting in January, that tuition would once again increase depending on what increases are mandated by the state Legislature.
The state Legislature will determine the necessary increase in Tier 1 tuition when deciding the funding that will be given to the institutions of higher education.
The universities then decide what additional increases should be made to second-tier tuition in accordance with the personal needs of the school.
UVSC will likely see a tuition increase between 5 and 8 percent above and beyond what is mandated by the Legislature, Barnum said. Although it’s not ideal for students to have to pay more for their schooling Barnum said, in the end the school must ask for help from those who benefit most from the university.
“The student government obviously wants to keep tuition low for the students, but the reality is that when it comes right down to it there just isn’t enough funding,” Barnum said.
The University of Utah recently announced a hike in tuition as well. Planning for a Tier I increase of about 4 percent, Utah plans on adding another 5 to 7 percent increase in Tier II tuition resulting in an increase of about $150 for residents and $450 for non-residents.
Tuition has been steadily on the rise for years at all public universities and colleges, according to the Utah System of Higher Education. However, even with the increases, tuition is still less than the national average.
“We’re still 70 percent lower than the national average,” Barnum said. “It’s still a very affordable education.”
USU’s proposed 43 percent increase over the next three years puts USU at the top of potential increases. School officials have said the increase is necessary to improve faculty salaries and compensate for the fuel and power deficit.
-hilaryi@cc.usu.edu