For Immediate Release
Friday, Sept. 14, 2007

The University of Alaska Board of Regents will discuss a tuition increase for the 2008-2009 school year, several new degree and certificate programs, and next year's capital and operating budgets for the UA system during a meeting next week at the University of Alaska Anchorage campus.

The meeting, in Room 107 of Lee Gorsuch Commons, will run from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18, and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19. The public can testify on any topic at 10 a.m. both days.

UA System President Mark Hamilton has recommended a 5 percent tuition increase starting in fall 2008, which would translate into roughly $4,290 in annual tuition for a typical student taking 15 credits per semester, compared to the current $4,080. Tuition rates for Prince William Sound Community College in Valdez and Kodiak College are slightly lower, while graduate courses are a bit more.  Tuition depends on each student's course load.

"I thank our students and parents for stepping up to the plate in recent years-raising tuition was something we had to do. Now, I'd like to continue our trend of moderating the increases," Hamilton said. "Financial support from the governor and legislature will continue to be critically important as the university builds on our past success in meeting state workforce demands."

The board will consider several other tuition scenarios as well, including a 5 percent increase for lower division courses and 10 percent for upper division classes; a 7 percent increase; and a 10 percent increase.

The board also will consider:
* approval of a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art at the University of Alaska Southeast, a certificate in veterinary science at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and a certificate in high latitude range management, also at UAF;
* a 193-acre land sale to the Sitka City and Borough for $3.3 million;
* UA's operating and capital budget for the fiscal year starting July 2008, with formal budget approval slated for November. State funding makes up about 36 percent of UA's overall budget, with competitive federal research grants, tuition, private donations and other UA-generated revenue making up the rest.
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Go to www.alaska.edu/bor for more information or call Kate Ripley at 907/450-8102 or 907/388-3506.

NR16-07