Board Approves Tuition Hike

The Board of Regents for High Education on Thursday decided to raise tuition and fees as state universities and colleges, much to the disappointment of students who attended the meeting, wearing stickers over their mouths that said "No Tuition Hike."

The board approved a 5-percent increase of tuition and fees for the state university system, with two people opposing.

Tuition and fees for in-state university students living on campus will increase by $778 a year, in-state students living off campus will pay $434 more and out-of-state students will pay an extra $1,251, according to figures the Board of Regents released.

Community colleges will charge full-time students and extra $188 per year.

Students had been fighting the proposed increases and many students gathered for a rally before and during that board meeting.

Students at Central Connecticut State University held a rally last week to show opposition to increases.

"Today we're asking the state to invest in us," Eric Bergenn, the student government president at C.C.S.U., said.

Some students said they fear the increase would add to their student loan debt after graduation.

"I don't have 800 more dollars. That's how much the tuition's going to go up. It's going to be very difficult for me to pay that," Chris Menapace, a junior at C.C.S.U., said.

Others said it would deter some students from continuing to pursue higher education.

"That could be the difference for some students in going to college next year," said Bergenn.

Also, students voiced concerns about their representation on the Board of Regents. Currently, there are two student members -- one for the state universities and one for the community colleges.

"The way the current system is set up, when the governor comes out with a budget, the Board of Regents isn't going to go to the State Legislature and ask for more money," Bergenn said.

"The regents are mindful that any increase in tuition and fees -- regardless of the amount -- is difficult for our students to absorb in these tough financial times," Colleen Flanagan Johnson, the spokesperson for the Regents, said in a statement. "We respect the right of students to voice their opinions about this proposal and their concerns about their representation on the Board, as it underscores the importance of a healthy, robust dialogue on higher education campuses across our state."