An editorial published on Friday’s website titled Tuition Discount Appropriate was not written by Times Free Press reporter Joan Garrett. It is a Chattanooga Times editorial that appeared on the website and Times Opinion page.
KNOXVILLE — UT trustees made a surprise decision Thursday to up the 8.5 percent tuition increase they were slated to approve to a 9 percent increase for all three of the system’s universities.
The higher-than-expected tuition hike will amount to a $407 increase for students next year, and was approved with a board vote of 11-2.
“We hate seeing more burden to be put on students and student families,” UTC Chancellor Roger Brown said. “But we really don’t know any other way.”
Changing the system’s tuition increases from 8.5 percent to 9 percent was first proposed by trustee Charles Wharton as an increase for just the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
UT Chancellor Jimmy Cheeks said the increase was desperately needed if the school is going to make strides in becoming a top 25 university. Even with adding another half a percentage point — $14 — to the existing tuition increase proposed, UT tuition still would fall below its peers, he said.
Last year’s tuition at UT was $6,850, while the average tuition among the school’s peers is $7,267. UTC’s tuition last year, $5,656, is already above its peers, which charge an average of $5,133.
“We do need more money,” said trustee Don Stansberry. “We are an incredibly good deal.”
The UT system is facing $110 million in cuts in next year’s budget.
After trustees began debating the motion to increase UT’s tuition fee jump, Chattanooga trustee John Foy said he thought UTC and UT Martin needed a 9 percent increase as well.
Both Dr. Brown and UT Martin Chancellor Tom Rakes said they could pump the money into academic services and teaching needs.
At UTC, Dr. Brown said an additional half a percentage point added to the tuition hike would add another $200,000 to revenues.
Trustees were confused and concerned about the change in plans. During the final vote one board member even asked what they were voting on.
Some trustees said they thought the move was unnecessary.
“The administration should have come forward before if they wanted a 9 percent increase,” Chattanooga trustee Jim Hall said. “I think we put as much of a burden as we should have at 8.5 percent.”
Click HERE to view the board of trustees.
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