State Board of Governors Says 'No' to Tuition Increases

After receiving a warning from Gov. Rick Scott about raising fees in a letter Wednesday, the Florida Board of Governors agreed with the governor and ultimately rejected proposed fee increases from nine universities across the state. The schools had requested to increase the Capitol Improvement fee that students pay each year. The fees would amount to $2 more per credit hour, which would cost students about $60 a year.

Florida State University and Florida A&M University had proposed creating a new Green Fee that would have paid for environmentally-friendly programs, but these requests were rejected as well. These fees would amount to 50 cents per credit hour, which would ultimately end up costing students $15 a year.

Though the governor is thousands of miles away, his warning struck a chord with board members. Many agreed fees should not increase in the fall.

"I do think that this is the wrong time," said board Chairman Dean Colsonabout raising higher education fees.

One of the reasons board members rejected the proposal is due to imposed limits on the Capitol Improvement Fee from the governor and the Legislature. Schools will have to save up their revenue and pay for projects in cash.Some board members said this policy should be changed in the upcoming legislative session before universities can start charging students more so the schools can pay for new projects that may be financially out-of-reach at the moment.Universities advocated for the fee increase because they need the money for renovations and building projects they've been delaying due to years of declining state revenue.