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SOU tuition decision awaits revenue figure From AP and staff reports Given the freedom Friday to set tuition hikes of up to 5 percent, Southern Oregon University officials wouldn't commit to a figure but said they will try to maintain the same level of services without pricing students out of higher education. The State Board of Higher Education voted to let the system's seven schools suggest separate tuition rate increases, ranging from 2 percent to 5 percent a year. The practice takes into account the schools' varying needs, said Joe Cox, Oregon University System chancellor. It will end a tuition freeze that has been in effect since fall 1996. SOU officials are waiting for state revenue projections next month before taking any action on tuition hikes or internal budget-trimming, said Lynn Paulson, SOU budget director. "We recognize the state doesn't have a lot of money to work with. We are very sensitive to the needs of students not to be priced out of higher education. On the other hand, we do need the revenue to serve them, so it's a difficult balancing act." The two-year budget for higher education proposed by Gov. John Kitzhaber was built on the premise of an annual 4 percent tuition increase for all the universities. Tuition and fees this year for resident undergraduates range from $3,369 at SOU to $3,819 at the University of Oregon. Representatives of Oregon's universities have lobbied hard this session to boost the governor's budget. They say it is $96 million less than what is needed to continue current levels of service. Universities throughout the state are considering tuition increases with caution. UO President Dave Frohnmayer would not speculate on tuition increases, but said, "We do know students are very price sensitive, so we have to be careful." George Pernsteiner, Portland State University's vice president of finance and administration, said his university would try to keep increases between 3 percent and 4 percent, within the rate of inflation. Also at Friday's meeting, the state board allocated $20 million in funds for engineering, recommending that $15 million be spent on doubling the number of engineering graduates and $5 million on improving engineering programs. The board originally sought $40.6 million for its tech-related initiatives: $30 million to double the number of graduates and $10.6 million to upgrade the engineering programs. Tom Anderes, vice chancellor for finance and administration, said it was crucial to find money for the $15 million and $5 million projects because they enhance each other. "Both will thrive off additional faculty," he said. "Both will benefit from additional research and students." Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.