NASHVILLE -- University of Tennessee trustees today approved a 6 percent tuition increase for most undergraduate and graduate students at its institutions, including UTC, as UT system President Joe DiPietro told board members he is committed to reversing the state's flat spending on higher education.
"We have to develop a plan and build a coalition," DiPietro told trustees at their meeting in Knoxville. "We need for Tennessee to make investments in education. It's not just what is right for us. It's right for all Tennessee. It's right for our children's children as we go forward."
Trustees approved the $2.05 billion budget for fiscal year 2015, reflecting relatively flat state funding for higher education. The budget includes a 6 percent tuition increase for most undergraduate and graduate students as well as hefty hikes in a number of student fees.
The budget contains no salary increases for faculty and staff for the first time since fiscal year 2011.
Officials say Tennessee's public higher education system has seen less support as a percentage of support from the state for years.
Later this afternoon, a committee of the state's other higher education system, the Tennessee Board of Regents, is expected to take up its own proposed tuition and fee increases. The full board is scheduled to act on the 2014-2015 budget on Friday.
For complete details, see tomorrow's Chattanooga Times Free Press.