Regents poised to raise tuition between 9.7 and 12.5 percent

The increases were lower than what was recommended a day earlier by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. The plan was approved unanimously by the Regents’ Business and Finance Committee and is expected to win final approval from the full board on Friday and take effect with the fall semester.

The biggest increase approved was for the University of Memphis, going up 12.5 percent. At all the other four-year institutions and community colleges, the increase would be 9.7 percent.

Tuition would rise 15 percent at technology centers. This is the second year of a three-year plan to boost tuition at the centers by 15 percent per year to expand the number of classes taught in popular areas of study, Regents spokeswoman Mary Morgan said.

Translated into dollars, the increase per semester would be $470 at Memphis, $310 at other four-year universities, $190 at community colleges and $232 at tech centers.

“State funding per student has been pretty flat, and we expect that to continue for several years ahead,” Vice Chancellor Bob Adams told the committee. “We want to strive to keep tuition affordable.”

The action Thursday continued a trend of sharp increases in tuition at Regents schools. The board raised tuition 7 percent last year, 14 percent in 2003 and 7.5 percent in 2002.

On Wednesday the Tennessee Higher Education Commission voted 6-3 to recommend to the state’s two higher education systems that tuition increase between 12 percent and 15 percent. THEC’s recommended increases had been 15 percent for Memphis and 12 percent for other universities and community colleges.

THEC officials also cited continued flat funding in the state budget and rising operating costs at the campuses.

Those who voted against the recommendation said it was too much. Secretary of State Riley Darnell and state Treasurer Dale Sims warned other THEC members that steep tuition increases this year may prompt the Legislature to place a cap on tuition increases next year.

The University of Tennessee system is to set its tuition rates at a trustee meeting later this month.

The chairman of the House Education Committee said Thursday he expects the General Assembly to address spiraling tuition costs.

“The caps I think probably will get a tremendous amount of attention and probably some sort of cap will be passed,” said Rep. Les Winningham, D-Huntsville.

Gov. Phil Bredesen said he disagrees with putting caps on tuition increases, but has urged Board of Regents Chancellor Charles Manning and University of Tennessee President John Petersen to consider recommending smaller tuition hikes.

“I asked both the chancellor and the president of UT to please be as restrained as they could this year, but to certainly not undermine their universities,” Bredesen said Thursday.

Bredesen, who because he is governor also is chairman of the UT and Regents boards, said he wants to put more state money into higher education next year.