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College students likely face fee hikes

Universities also may have to offer fewer classes, even as enrollments grow.

BY BILL ROBERTS - broberts@idahostatesman.com

Published: 01/13/09


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A 10 percent budget cut for Idaho's colleges and universities could force schools to ask for higher student tuition to shore up some of the school's losses.

It also could mean schools may offer fewer sections of classes and fill them with more students - a move that could play havoc with schedules and add to expenses by lengthening some students' time in college.

Idaho colleges are facing the steepest round of cuts since the the economy faltered in 2002.

Boise State University is especially feeling the sting because Gov. Butch Otter's budget doesn't increase state funding to schools this year as the student populations grow, so more new students won't bring more state money, said Bob Kustra, Boise State University president.

Boise State's spring enrollment, for example, was up 2 percent over the previous spring.

"It is especially going to hurt at a time when many people who are laid off return to a university," Kustra said. "You have to be able to take care of them. We are definitely going to need funding to support them."

Idaho's four-year colleges, which are about to start their fee hearings on campus, have pledged to keep fee increases from exceeding 10 percent.

Two months ago, Kustra said he was hoping to keep tuition hikes between 3 and 5 percent.

"With this news, I don't think it is possible to go down that far," he said.

Idaho's community colleges face a 7 percent cut. College of Western Idaho could lose about $350,000. But school officials say they will delay administrative hiring and some infrastructure projects to meet the budget.

Bill Roberts: 377-6408

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