UA-Fayetteville tuition likely to increase

The Associated Press

FAYETTEVILLE — The head of the University of Arkansas says tuition at the state’s flagship school will likely have to go up next fall.

Chancellor Dave Gearhart said Monday that rising costs and an endowment hit by a slumping stock market were increasing the chances the school will have to raise its rates, the Morning News of Springdale reported.

Gearhart said officials are trying to balance the demands of running a higher education program in tough economic times while also making it affordable.

“We’re certainly sensitive to the fact that people are hurting financially right now,” Gearhart said. “We want to make sure the people of the state realize why it costs what it does.”

Tuition has increased between 4 percent and 8 percent annually since 2000.

B. Alan Sugg, president of the University of Arkansas System, noted that tuition for the 2009-2010 school year won’t be set until at least April after the state Legislature finalizes funding for public schools and state agencies. Sugg said he expects that any college tuition increases will be “fairly modest.”

University System Trustee Sam Hilburn said that depending on the economy, he might vote against an increase.

“Times are tough for colleges, but they’re tough for individuals too,” Hilburn said. “If I’m tightening my belt, maybe the university ought to do the same.”

Trustee Tim Hunt said he could understand the difficult balancing act facing college campuses.

“I certainly understand the funding needs for the university, but as a parent with one child in school and another one coming soon, the idea of paying higher tuition doesn’t sit well with me,” he said. “We’ve got to find a way to find a number that’s painful to the fewest people.”