The proposed state budget recommends significant cuts to university employee benefits and students may see an effect on their wallets. In order to combat these funding cuts, University of Florida President Bernie Machen proposed a 30 percent increase in tuition yesterday. UF spokeswoman Janine Sikes says the education provided by UF is worth the money.
“You get a world-class faculty with world-class researchers at the University of Florida. Should you be paying the same tuition as another state university? Perhaps not,” said Sikes.
“President Machen has been told that UF may also experience a cut to its base funding, and his concern is that we have already taken upwards of $140 million in cuts from our core budget over the last several years,” Sikes added.
The increase, though steep, may be the only one for a while, says UF Faculty Senate Chair Mary Ann Ferguson.
“We have approval to increase tuition 15% per year, but I believe what Dr. Machen is thinking about is a one-time increase, and then not increasing for some time after that,” she said.
Official discussions about the proposed increase will begin at a legislative session on March 8th.