Group urges cuts in some tuition hikes

This from C-J:

U of L, UK not part of reduction sought

Five of Kentucky's higher-education institutions -- including the state's community and technical college system -- should not be allowed to raise tuition and fees as much as they propose.

That's the recommendation of staff at the state's Council on Postsecondary Education.

If the council follows the recommendation, it is believed it would be the first time it has rejected a tuition proposal since the state passed a higher-education overhaul in 1997...

Council Chairman John Turner said it could deviate from the recommendations, which were released last night, but likely would give them heavy weight. He also reiterated the council's growing concern with affordability.

"I think that clearly is the big issue," he said. "The commonwealth as well as the country are economically distressed right now." ...

...The recommendations drew outcries last night from university officials, including WKU President Gary Ransdell, who spent part of yesterday talking to faculty and staff about cuts the university will make as a result of a 6 percent reduction in state funding...