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For the coming academic year 2009-10, standard resident tuition rates have been fixed by the Kansas Board of Regents. This was established for six state universities on June 25th 2009. Tuition fee rate increase ranges from a nominal 3.9% for the Kansas State University and a whopping 8.5% for the Wichita State University.

At the University of Kansas, the rate will apply for students who join a full time course as a freshman during the Fall 2009 semester even as the board locked the rate for “Four-Year Tuition Compact”. According to the Vice Chair, Board of Regents, Kansas Wichita Regent Jill Docking, it is not easy balancing the financial concerns and needs of the students and the requirements of the universities.

She went on to say that an initiative to freeze tuition fee for helping struggling students and parents in this tough economic times had to be reversed due to additional budget cuts faced by the universities and a steep decline in state revenues.

Taking into account the continued fall in the economy of Kansas, tuition proposals were received by the board from at least six universities. Revised proposals were submitted by three universities namely the Wichita State University, University of Kansas and Emporia State University. According to Docking, it was highly encouraging to see students taking an active and meaningful part in the process of setting the tuition. She also said that the involvement from student leaders was critical for the success of the process.

Docking says that it is crucial keeping higher education affordable and within reach of students in Kansas in spite of various challenges including decline in state funding, increase in enrolments and demands for enhanced quality of education.

According to a survey conducted by the board for the academic year 2008-09, the fee rates and in-state tuition in the six state universities of Kansas was the lowest in the region. A decision taken by the board stipulates that at least two thirds of the Federal stimulus dollars amounting to $39.9 received for the years 2009 and 2010 by the State Universities will be utilized to complete vital building maintenance projects that have been deferred due to lack of funds. One third of the funds which amounts to $13.3 million will go towards mitigating tuition costs.

In conclusion, Docking said that a unique opportunity is provided by the federal dollars to improve student learning environment and stimulate local economy by addressing some of the most important campus maintenance requirements.

She was happy that a portion of the funds, in spite of allocating quite a bit towards one time building maintenance projects, could be allocated towards mitigating tuition fees for students of Kansas in this most trying and challenging economic times.

She also said that if there were no dollars available for funding, the Regent would not have been able to allocate stimulus assistance. Kansas students would have had to pay higher tuition fees without this important stimulus Federal dollars aid. This aid was invaluable and helped to a great extent in keeping higher education within the affordability range for students.