UA regents approve tuition increase, $960M budget

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — University of Alaska students will see an increase in tuition next year following a decision by the board of regents to approve a 5 percent increase rather than a proposed 9 percent hike.

The regents approved the lower increase rate Wednesday after voting to amend University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen's initial proposal for a higher raise in tuition, The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported (http://bit.ly/1NQUgkt).

The university system has faced three straight years of cuts in state funding as state lawmakers continue to work on Alaska's budget shortfalls.

University staff is working on contingency plans in anticipation of different levels of funding, he said.