Univ. Of Nebraska Tuition Spike Possible Next Year

NATE JENKINS

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — People trying to fight through the economic downturn by earning college degrees may soon find them harder to afford in Nebraska.

While budget cuts proposed at the University of Nebraska probably won't cause a midstream tuition hike this school year, the president of the university hinted that they could lead to a larger-than-usual increase next school year.

"Historically, when appropriations have gone down tuition has gone up higher than average," university President J.B. Milliken said after testifying before the Legislature's budget-writing Appropriations Committee on Monday.

Milliken wouldn't predict how much tuition may rise. He also said it's too early to say what cuts the university would have to make should it get a total of $26 million less from the state this year and next, as proposed by Gov. Dave Heineman.

"We will be looking hard at whether there are particular programs that need to be eliminated," Milliken said.

Heineman's proposed cut to the university's budget is part of his plan to close a $334 million state-budget gap caused by lower-than-expected tax revenues. Lawmakers are considering the proposal during a special legislative session that began last week.