COLLEGE TUITION INCREASES AS 'LAST RESORT' TO CUT BUDGETS

posted by Michael Chihak

The Arizona Board of regents heard the three university presidents at a budget work session Tuesday describe how they will meet an expected $170 million cut in their budgets for 2011-12.

The cut is proposed in Gov. Jan Brewer's budget, the details of which are being negotiated among Republican leaders of the Legislature.

In a press release statement issued after Tuesday's meeting, Regents Chair Anne Mariucci said, “The Regents considered today very real and painful base-budget spending reduction proposals for each of the three state universities. Arizona families and students deserve no less than the Regents’ full consideration of university spending cuts that go beyond what was once thought possible, just as Arizona families and businesses have been required to implement. Tuition increase options can and must be considered only as an option of last resort.”

The University of Arizona, Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University already are operating under cost-reduction options that include redefining their missions, consolidating academic programs and colleges. They have absorbed $230 million in state funding cuts in the last few years.

In the last two years, Brewer allocated more than $200 million of the state's allotment of federal economic stimulus money to the universities to cover parts of the state cuts. The federal fund is now exhausted.

Arizona Week will delve into the topic on Friday's program, looking at how the cuts will affect higher education and whether tuition and fee increases can be minimized.

The regents will conduct a public hearing on March 28 on the impact of any tuition and fee increases.