Higher education tuition bill approved by Oklahoma House

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- The state House has passed a bill that would raise millions of dollars for higher education. <br><br>The bill is supported by higher education Chancellor Paul Risser and presidents

Thursday, February 27th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- The state House has passed a bill that would raise millions of dollars for higher education.

The bill is supported by higher education Chancellor Paul Risser and presidents of the state's colleges and universities.

Higher education officials say the schools need added revenue after suffering deep budget cuts due to a statewide budget shortfall.

The bill would allow institutions to raise tuition up to the average of similar institutions.

Tuition at Oklahoma and Oklahoma State could be raised to the average of schools in the Big 12 Conference.

OU and OSU currently have the lowest tuition in the Big 12.

Tuition at other colleges and universities would not be allowed to exceed the average of state-supported institutions in adjacent states.

The bill passed 72-to-28.