KBOR Press Release:
Topeka, KS — The Kansas Board of Regents approved tuition rates for each of the six state universities in Kansas for the upcoming 2015-2016 academic year. The newly-established resident undergraduate rate for tuition & required fees represents a 3.6% increase at each institution. Increases range from $62 per semester for a full-time undergraduate resident student at Fort Hays State University, to an increase of $158 per semester at the University of Kansas and KU Medical Center.
“It is the Board’s belief, that the intention of the legislature this past session was to cap both the tuition rate and the amount of required fees charged to students, limiting any increase to no more than 3.6%,” stated Kenny Wilk, Chairman of the Kansas Board of Regents. “While the need for increased resources remains great, we are asking our higher education leaders to be strategic knowing we will continue to press the Kansas legislature to increase funding for public higher education.”
In addition to setting rates for tuition and required fees, the Board approved a number of course fees, specific to a given degree program. At both Pittsburg State University and Fort Hays State University, student referendums had approved campus-wide fees for specific initiatives, which the Board endorsed stating their intent to carry out student wishes.
One of the primary responsibilities of the Board, as defined in state law, is to set tuition and fees at state universities. However during the 2015 legislative session, action was taken to limit the rate at which the Board may increase state universities’ tuition for the upcoming year to 2% plus inflation, for a total possible increase of 3.6%.
“The Board of Regents maintains the responsibility for setting tuition and fees at state universities is the responsibility of the Board,” noted Regent Shane Bangerter, who will next serve as Chair of the Board of Regents. “However, we are appreciative to legislative leadership, and the legislature as a whole, for holding higher education funding flat during this difficult budget year. Therefore, the Board has honored both the letter and the spirit of what was requested of us.”
##end##