---

brought to you by the ASU WebDevil and the State Press

University presidents ask ABOR for $100 tuition hike

By Rebecca Hallengren

State Press

The presidents of Arizona's three public universities have proposed a $100 in-state tuition increase and a $300-$400 increase for out-of-state tuition.

In addition, ASU President Lattie Coor has recommended non-refundable $500 and $300 program deposits for daytime and evening MBA programs in the fall of 2001. Tuition for master's programs would increase $1,000 for in-state students and $2,000 for out-of-state students for the 2000-01 academic school year, if the proposal is accepted by the Arizona Board of Regents.

ABOR has the final say for possible increases. The board is scheduled to set the tuition for the 2000-2001 school year at its April 6 meeting in Flagstaff.

The proposal has already sparked action from several University groups. The Arizona Students' Association will meet Friday to come up with its own tuition increase proposal.

Associated Students of ASU plans to hold a tuition rally March 29 in front of the Memorial Union in protest of the proposed increases.

"(Members of ASASU) don't oppose a tuition increase if it's reasonable, but we want to keep tuition as nearly free as possible," said ASASU President Jenny Holsman. "For the most part I think students are for tuition increases if it enhances their education."

The proposed tuition increase would go to faculty salaries and advancing technology resources on campus, said Peter Likins, University of Arizona president.

"The students have an increasing appetite for technology," he said. "It's a continually growing cost."

He said professor salaries also need to increase to help retain faculty.

ABOR Student Regent Christine Thompson said she wants to hear the debate between students and administrators before making her final decision.

"The proposed increase from the presidents are what I expected," she said. "It's a reasonable request."

The money from the tuition hike would help sustain undergraduate success and improve the technological infrastructure, Holsman said Coor told her at a meeting.

Theoretically, sustaining undergraduate success means that major course availability would be increased and the quality of professors would be enhanced. It also means there would be more quality advising available, Holsman said.

Coor and Northern Arizona University President Clara Lovett were unavailable for comment.

The $100 tuition increase was proposed by Coor and Lovett, whereas Likins proposed a $101 increase. The extra $1 was tagged on to make in-state tuition an even $2360 per semester, Likins said.

"We've made these decisions independently," he said. "This is not a collective recommendation. We'll find a single number that works for all of us."

Rebecca Hallengren can be reached by e-mail at rebecca.hallengren@asu.edu.