Lost funds result in tuition increase

Due to a reduction in state funding, Murray State will raise tuition costs for the upcoming academic year.

It is the ninth reduction to state funding within the past nine years to effect Kentucky universities and community colleges. Murray State’s tuition will rise either 4 or 5 percent, University President Randy Dunn said.

Undergraduate tuition costs for University of Kentucky and University of Louisville can rise as high as 6 percent. Tuition for other four-year schools can increase up to 5 percent. Community colleges can increase tuition a maximum of 4 percent.

These limits for 2010-11 were set by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education.

Student Government Association sponsored two open forum events in the Curris Center Theater Thursday to discuss the increase. 

Students, faculty and staff members were encouraged to participate in the discussion.

Dunn said a tuition increase is necessary to cover the University’s expenses.

“The students I’ve talked with have been favorable of the increase,” Dunn said. “They understand that we’re expecting a $739,000 cut in state appropriations and have to make up for that. Considering we have one of the lowest tuitions in the Commonwealth and will continue to, the proposal has been taken well.”

State funding is expected to be cut by 1.5 percent, or $739,000. Tuition must rise a minimum of 4 percent to compensate for this loss, Dunn said.

The University would be forced to shut down if a state budget is not approved but the General Assembly by June 1. State legislators were supposed to approve a budget by April 15.

Dunn said an hour cap has not been included in any of the proposals for the following academic year.

“It is still something to be considered in the future,” he said.

Stephanie Milam, freshman from Benton, Ky., said she pays for her education mostly through student loans. 

“It’s going to be a whole lot harder to pay for everything,” she said.

Ashley Ambuehl, senior from Odin, Ill., blames the state government for cutting funds.

“I know the government has their problems in getting things together, but they’re making it more difficult for us to actually attend college,” she said. “It’s costing more and more.”

Contact Reside at nicholas.reside@murraystate.edu