2008 Woodie Awards
Tuition to raise 6 percent again next year across system
Scott Stewart
Issue date: 6/17/08 Section: News
LINCOLN - Friday the Board of Regents voted 7-1 to raise tuition at UNO next year by 6 percent, or $9.25 per credit hour, continuing a four-year trend of stable tuition increases.
The 6 percent includes a 1 percent overall tuition increase required by Legislative Bill 605, the university's deferred maintenance bill. The bill provides funding for university renovation projects such as the Criss Library renovation.
Regent Randy Ferlic, who represents portions of Douglas and Sarpy counties, cast the sole nay vote, reiterating his position that the university needs stable tuition. Ferlic also cast the only dissenting vote last June when the university raised tuition.
"I have problems with the 6 percent, as you well know," Ferlic said. "I'm extremely concerned about student debt and what it does to the futures of students in the state of Nebraska and their opportunities to remain in the state. And my job, as Wayne Gretzky said, is not to see where the puck has been, it's where the puck is going, and I see hard times ahead for our students."
Ferlic said, while he did applaud the university's efforts, led by President James B. Milliken, to increase cost efficiency, he felt that more productivity was possible. He also said UNL's proposed general education revisions and UNO's 12-month calendar initiative would help bring the university closer to achieving some of its goals.
Regent Howard Hawks, who represents portions of eastern Nebraska, said he agreed with Ferlic in principle but was encouraged by the university not balancing its budget with tuition. Hawks said the university instead saved 2 percent or 3 percent worth of additional increases by tightening its budget.
In addition to budget restraints, Milliken cited an increase in the university's Tuition Assistance Program, which provides need-based financial aid to undergraduate, resident students who are eligible for a Pell grant. This year, the program covered tuition costs for students with families earning less than $38,500.
The 6 percent includes a 1 percent overall tuition increase required by Legislative Bill 605, the university's deferred maintenance bill. The bill provides funding for university renovation projects such as the Criss Library renovation.
Regent Randy Ferlic, who represents portions of Douglas and Sarpy counties, cast the sole nay vote, reiterating his position that the university needs stable tuition. Ferlic also cast the only dissenting vote last June when the university raised tuition.
"I have problems with the 6 percent, as you well know," Ferlic said. "I'm extremely concerned about student debt and what it does to the futures of students in the state of Nebraska and their opportunities to remain in the state. And my job, as Wayne Gretzky said, is not to see where the puck has been, it's where the puck is going, and I see hard times ahead for our students."
Ferlic said, while he did applaud the university's efforts, led by President James B. Milliken, to increase cost efficiency, he felt that more productivity was possible. He also said UNL's proposed general education revisions and UNO's 12-month calendar initiative would help bring the university closer to achieving some of its goals.
Regent Howard Hawks, who represents portions of eastern Nebraska, said he agreed with Ferlic in principle but was encouraged by the university not balancing its budget with tuition. Hawks said the university instead saved 2 percent or 3 percent worth of additional increases by tightening its budget.
In addition to budget restraints, Milliken cited an increase in the university's Tuition Assistance Program, which provides need-based financial aid to undergraduate, resident students who are eligible for a Pell grant. This year, the program covered tuition costs for students with families earning less than $38,500.
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