Universities consider tuition increases

With tax revenue coming in higher than last year but under projections for the current fiscal year, state-funded agencies are scrambling to find the dollars to keep everything going.

For state universities, the money just isn't there. As a result, there are deep cuts to be made. At least two institutions considered tuition increases.

Last week, Southwest Missouri State University officials in Springfield, Mo., discussed raising tuition to $117 a credit hour from $111.

And this week, Southeast Missouri State University officials were faced with some serious spending cuts. They nixed a plan to raise tuition to $115.80 a credit hour from $107.80 but said future increases may be necessary.

In the meantime, they will dip into the reserve fund and look for $900,000 to cut.

It is unfortunate that poor financial planning and overoptimistic forecasting on the part of our state leaders is putting students in this situation. If there is a tuition increase at some point, it will be important to remember that a university education in Missouri is still a bargain.