New Budget Cut Prompts Tuition Hikes

Kansas’ state universities are calling for tuition increases of up to 5 percent, at least for now.

The schools submitted their tuition proposals Wednesday to the governing Kansas Board of Regents. But those came before Gov. Sam Brownback signed a budget bill Wednesday afternoon that cuts higher education funding by 4 percent – one percent more than the universities had expected.

Kansas State University, Wichita State, Fort Hays State and Pittsburg State each propose a 5 percent increase for the academic year that begins this fall. The University of Kansas and Emporia State seek a 4 percent rise.

The regents will vote on the proposals next month.

Regents spokeswoman Breeze Richardson says Wednesday’s proposals are likely to be adjusted given Brownback’s budget action.