Idaho colleges get scaled-back fee increases

BOISE – The state Board of Education has approved a series of tuition and fee increases billed by presidents at Idaho’s public universities and colleges as essential to maintaining academic programs and keeping pace with rising operating costs.

The board, mindful of keeping higher education affordable and accessible for students from all economic levels, approved increases Monday that were far less than those initially requested by administrators.

Idaho’s universities and colleges initially sought tuition and fee increases between 3 percent and 7.9 percent, or $204 to $350 more per year for in-state students.

The University of Idaho, which requested a 7.9 percent increase in fees, suffered the biggest hit when the board approved an increase of just 5 percent, lowering the projected revenue increase at the Moscow-based campus from $9 million to $5.7 million.

“We’re headed into difficult economic times,” Education Board member Blake Hall said. “I think access is critical to our students.”

For the other campuses, the board approved increases of:

“5 percent for Boise State University, down from the original request of 6.1 percent.

“6 percent for Idaho State University, down from the 7 percent sought by administrators.

“5 percent for Lewis-Clark State College, the full amount requested by the Lewiston college.

“2 percent for Eastern Idaho Technical College, down from the 3.1 percent sought by President Bill Robertson.

The state education board sets tuition and fee rates at Idaho’s public four-year institutions each year, while the price to attend Idaho community colleges is determined by individual boards of trustees.

This marks the third year in a row the board has refused to approve tuition and fee requests of more than 10 percent, emphasizing the need to continue making student access a top priority.

The board action came as school administrators advertised their proposed increases as “modest” or “as low as possible” to maintain academic programs and campus facilities.

State money makes up a huge chunk of university budgets, and lawmakers set aside more than $285 million for public colleges and universities next year – up 7.9 percent from the year before. Still, student tuition and fees are crucial when making up for declines in state funding during past years, college officials say.

Hall said it’s difficult to justify raising student tuition and fees to fill financial holes created by state lawmakers.

Bill Robertson, president of Eastern Idaho Technical College, cited inflation and rising energy costs in seeking a 3 percent increase.

But he also acknowledged some of the new revenue would be used for other projects, like paying a $75,000 bill charged to occupy a new building on campus. Robertson said efforts to get the Legislature to subsidize that expense failed.

“We didn’t receive that full amount,” Robertson said. “That’s the most immediate need.”

Idaho State President Arthur Vailas praised the board for keeping tuition and fee increases below double digits for the third consecutive year. But he also warned that skimping on tuition and fees could have a major impact on the future of higher education in the state.