DES MOINES — The Board of Regents had the first reading Thursday of a proposal that would raise in-state tuition by 3% at the three state universities.
Board member Christine Hensley of Des Moines says she was concerned to learn about the increase in the media. “And to have to read about something that’s really significant to the Board of Regents, where we determine what the tuition is going to be, and I find out about that in the media. That’s not the way a board should work,” Hensley says.
She says she’s had discussions with the Board staff on trying to figure out how get all the regents are involved, but she says there are still some concerns. “I’m going to vote no on that. I think there are some options. There are lots of pieces in the puzzle right now,” she says. “You’ve got the legislature that’s looking at tuition guarantees, tuition freezes. You’ve got the other increases that we just saw. You know, so it’s not just a tuition increase.” Hensley was referring to increases that will be coming in the room and board fees.…