BROOKINGS, S.D. (AP) _ THE BOARD OF REGENTS DECIDED THURSDAY TO
INCREASE TUITION AND MANDATORY FEES AN AVERAGE OF 6.9 PERCENT AT
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITIES IN FALL. THE INCREASE AVERAGES
ABOUT $488 PER STUDENT AND WAS THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE HIGHER
EDUCATION STAFF.
     THE BOARD VOTED DOWN ALTERNATIVES FROM MEMBERS FOR AN 8 PERCENT
HIKE AND ONE OF 5.9 PERCENT.
     THE INCREASE WILL HELP OFFSET A CUT OF $14.6 MILLION IN STATE
FUNDS FOR THE UNIVERSITIES IN THE NEXT BUDGET YEAR. THE TUITION
HIKE WOULD PRODUCE $9 MILLION IN REVENUE, FORCING CAMPUSES TO CUT
ANOTHER $5.6 MILLION IN SPENDING.
     STUDENTS AT THE SIX STATE UNIVERSITIES HAVE SEEN INCREASES IN
TUITION AND MANDATORY FEES OF 4.6 PERCENT TO 6.3 PERCENT IN EACH OF
THE PAST FOUR YEARS.