http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060518/NEWS/605180379/1002/news

College Board requests $931M
State lawmaker says boosting budget by that much is unlikely

State College Board members on Wednesday endorsed asking for nearly a billion dollars next year from the Legislature.

The action came at the same time the board is considering finalizing the eighth tuition increase in the last 10 years for the state's eight universities....

...The board backed the proposed increase moments after postponing a vote to finalize a tuition increase first passed last month.

The tuition increase, an average of about $215 a year, must be voted on twice to be finalized.

But because several board members were absent Wednesday, the board will take up the tuition issue when their meeting continues today....


...FAST FACTS

Proposed increases to the university system budget for 2008:

Ayers settlement: $9,703,000

Operation budgets: $136,137,266

Capital renewal: $92,411,212

Salary increases: $11,522,966

Total proposed increase: $249,774,444...