The board that governs the three state-supported universities voted to increase tuition by three-point-two percent Tuesday — the smallest tuition increase since 1980. University of Northern Iowa student body president, Andrew Quinton Morse, hopes the small increase is a trend that continues.
Morse says the increase is a "respectable one" and he looks forward to more support from legislators so the tuition can stay stable or decrease over the years. The increase goes into effect for students at UNI, Iowa and Iowa State in the 2008-2009 academic year.
In other news from the State Board of Regents, the body will elect a new president Wednesday. Current president Michael Gartner says he wants to step down to allow a new leader time to prepare for the lobbying process in the upcoming legislative session. Gartner says the time required by the position almost makes it a full-time job.
Gartner says his decision is based mostly on time, and also he will turn 70 this year. Gartner will stay on the board for the remainder of his term, which will expire in April. Gartner says he expects board president pro-tem David Miles to be elected his successor.