Boren seeking 7 percent tuition increase for OU

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ University of Oklahoma students may have to pay more for tuition this fall if President David Boren's request for the maximum 7 percent increase is approved. <br><br>The increase

Wednesday, May 1st 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ University of Oklahoma students may have to pay more for tuition this fall if President David Boren's request for the maximum 7 percent increase is approved.

The increase would mean an extra $68 a semester for an entering freshmen with 15 credit hours. Tuition for 30 credit hours and fees would add up to about $2,800 a year at OU and Oklahoma State University, which is seeking a 6.97 percent hike for the fall.

It would cost even more for non-resident students, who would see a 9 percent tuition increase.

OU regents will consider the request at their May 10 board meeting.

In a letter Tuesday to OU students, Boren said the state government is anticipating a $300 million decline in revenues.

``The bad news is that to make up for the shortfall, the budgets of state agencies have to be cut,'' Boren's letter said. ``The good news is that the governor and the Legislature have placed a priority on support for education and are cutting education less than other units of state government.''

OU's new budget probably will take a 2 percent hit, or about $4 million. Boren said OU faces another $6 million to $8 million in increased costs from health care and book costs for the library.

``In short, our budget has been hit by a problem in the neighborhood of $10 million to $12 million,'' his letter stated.

Regents governing OSU voted to raise tuition last week. Other colleges are expected to ask for the maximum increases.

Higher education regents have scheduled a public hearing at the regents' Oklahoma City office on Wednesday for students to voice their opinions on the tuition increase. The hearing is required by state law.