Students face tuition hikes next two years

Valerie Miller

Wednesday, May 10, 2000 | 10:26 a.m.

Students at the state's universities and community colleges are likely to pay 3.5 percent to 4 percent more for their classes in each of the next two years.

The university Board of Regents Tuesday approved a plan to increase student fees across the next two years of the budget instead of imposing a larger increase at one time.

Under the plan, undergraduate tuition at UNLV and the University of Nevada, Reno, would rise from the current $74 per credit to $76.50 in 2002 and $79 in 2003. Graduate credits would go up from $100 per credit to $103.50 in 2002 and $107 in 2003.

Tuition at Nevada's four community colleges would rise from $42.50 per credit to $44 in 2002, and $45.50 in 2003.

The 2001 Legislature must approve the fees before they go into effect.

Interim Chancellor Tom Anderes, who made the tuition proposal to the regents, said the raise in student fees was needed to make up for the increased costs of higher education and to provide new technology and resources for students.

Anderes also told the regents that the university system plans on asking the 2001 Legislature for a 22 percent increase in its operating budget. That would add $195.4 million to the $895 million to the current state budget.