University presidents say tuition heading up again

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Another lean year of state funding will trigger more tuition increases at Illinois' public universities, officials predicted Friday. In testimony to state lawmakers, the presidents from four of the state's universities decried a plan to increase the state's share of higher-education funding by 1.5 percent in the budget year that begins July 1. &#8220We're going to be really challenged here,” said Illinois State University President Al Bowman. &#8220We're getting squeezed on money,” added University of Illinois President Joseph White. The predictions of tuition increases come as public universities in other states are beginning to reap the rewards of improving state economies. In Illinois, however, the Illinois Board of Higher Education has recommended a nearly flat 1.5 percent increase in overall state funding for the universities. That mirrors what universities received last year and comes after state funding was cut in 2002. While a final number won't be known until the state budget is adopted later this spring, officials believe it will be close to the IBHE's recommended level because of other state spending pressures. Gov. Rod Blagojevich, for example, wants to significantly expand state health care programs. Key Senate Democrats are angling to increase spending on public schools and state pension programs. To offset the cuts and nearly flat funding levels, universities have raised tuition and boosted their private fundraising efforts. On Friday, the presidents said tuition for incoming freshmen at ISU, the U of I and Eastern Illinois University next fall will likely rise between 9 percent and 11 percent. &#8220I don't see these tuition increases going down,” said Bowman. EIU President Lou Hencken told lawmakers that they need to find more cash. &#8220I need to let you know, that's not enough. Somebody has got to stand up and say, ‘It's not enough,”' said Hencken. One state lawmaker expressed hope that funding levels could someday improve. &#8220Hopefully we'll wake up and give more support in the future,” said state Rep. Rich Brauer, R-Petersburg. White said U of I administrators are seeking a 16 percent increase in state funds. Some of the additional money would go to stem the tide of professors leaving for better-paying positions in other states, where higher-education spending is on the rise. &#8220Other states are returning to investing in higher education at a pretty aggressive rate,” said White. &#8220We're under-investing in education.” Northern Illinois University President John Peters echoed those concerns Friday, telling members of the House Higher Education Committee that the university is falling behind on faculty salaries and construction projects. Last year, state funding for the DeKalb-based school rose less than 1 percentage point. NIU has not received a substantial chunk of cash to build new facilities in nearly a decade. Buildings such as Stevens Hall, where arts and nursing students attend classes, are in dire need of an estimated $21 million in upgrades. &#8220We need your help,” Peters said. At Southern Illinois University, administrators want to boost student fees as a way to pay for building maintenance costs that used to be routinely covered by the state. Western Illinois University is eyeing $14 million in state aid to help build a branch campus on 20 acres of riverfront property in Moline. ISU also has $470 million in deferred maintenance projects. Officials also need cash to expand the nursing school, and repairs are needed at the university's two aging laboratory schools, where teachers are trained. Last year, Blagojevich toured ISU's fine arts facility and agreed with the university that it needs to be upgraded. &#8220We've been able to make progress, but certainly not the kind of progress we could have made,” said Bowman. Kurt Erickson can be reached at kurt.erickson@lee.net or (217) 789-0865.