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University Board Trims Tuition Increase To 6% From 8%

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By ADAM EMERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 8, 2008

Wary of jeopardizing funding, the state's university oversight board today backed off its initial plan to raise tuition by 8 percent and adopted a smaller increase approved recently by the Legislature.

Though the board won't recognize the Legislature's authority to raise undergraduate tuition – and is suing to settle that – its leaders say they could lose other money available to its schools by defying lawmakers.

Some schools, such as the University of South Florida, have the authority to charge more, but the 6 percent tuition increase equals about $70 more a semester for students taking 15 credit hours of classes.

That would be welcome revenue for universities facing millions in cuts, but the board placed parameters on how that money can be spent.

For instance, 30 percent must go to financial aid for needy students. The chancellor of the university system, Mark Rosenberg, said that was a promise made to Gov. Charlie Crist, who has said he will sign off on the increase.

Some university presidents, however, say they already use private foundation money to pay financial aid and need the tuition money to fill gaps left by budget cuts.

"We are being micromanaged to death down here," said Bernie Machen, president of the University of Florida, which this week announced that it is laying off 20 faculty members and 118 other employees.

Reporter Adam Emerson can be reached at (813) 259-8285 or aemerson@tampatrib.com.

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