NASHVILLE — A pending decision could make it harder for students to get into public colleges in Tennessee by increasing tuition. The vote, expected in June, also could make it more difficult to finish school, by limiting needed classes.
The Tennessee Board of Regents, which controls public universities and community colleges outside the University of Tennessee system, is considering hikes of 6-11 percent.
The Tennessean reported other cost-cutting plans could make it harder for students to find needed courses, and some majors could be eliminated.
“It’s a challenging financial environment for our institutions,” said Dale Sims, the regents’ vice chancellor for business and finance. “I don’t see the situation getting any better in terms of state funding.”
The Regents are pondering finances after a third year of decreases in state funding and likely will vote on the tuition increases near the end of June. They could vary by institution.
“It just makes it that much more money I have to tack onto my student loans,” said Ben Reich, a junior majoring in aerospace administration at Middle Tennessee State University. Reich said his parents also need to help his two younger brothers go to college.
The Regents system four-year universities include Middle Tennessee State University, University of Memphis, Tennessee State University, Austin Peay State University, Tennessee Tech University and East Tennessee State University.
There are also 13 community colleges and 26 technology centers administered by the TBR.
The system will realize a savings of about $24 million per year from voluntary buyouts accepted by more than 524 teachers, administrators and staffers.
The individual schools are looking for savings that range from doing away with majors that don’t attract many students to adjusting thermostats to use less energy.