The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education took action on several tuition-related items and approved a dual credit policy at its meeting held earlier today at the University of Kentucky.

The Council set tuition and mandatory fee ceilings for in-state, undergraduate students for the state's public colleges and universities for the 2012-13 academic year. The maximum base rate increases are 4 percent for the Kentucky Community and College System, 5 percent for the comprehensive universities and 6 percent for the research institutions.

Even with the estimated $45.1 million that will be generated with the new tuition and fee revenue, campuses will be faced with a net operating deficit of $79.6 million for FY13.

The deficit stems from a $62.6 million cut in state general funds to public postsecondary education in the 2012 Budget Bill (HB 265) and an estimated $62.1 million increase in institutional fixed costs. The shortfall does not include the $38.3 million in unfunded maintenance and operation costs that the institutions have absorbed since 2008 or are expected to incur in 2012-13.

"These are difficult economic times all around. We understand that raising tuition, even at moderate levels, causes concern for our students and families. What would cause greater concern, however, is if we allowed the quality of our academic programs and services to deteriorate. These tuition ceilings strike the right balance between affordability concerns of Kentuckians and the needs of our campuses to serve students," said Council President Bob King.

In other tuition action, the Council approved the 2012-13 floor for nonresident, undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees at two times the resident, undergraduate rate; approved allowing universities to submit market competitive resident and nonresident tuition and mandatory fee rates for graduate and online courses; and approved Northern Kentucky University's 2012-13 tuition and fee rates with exceptions for selected nonresident rates.

The remaining campuses will submit tuition proposals for Council action at the June 21 meeting.

A dual credit policy for all public postsecondary institutions was approved by the Council. The policy establishes a common definition for dual credit and outlines the terms and conditions through which opportunities will be provided for secondary students to take college-level courses and receive both college and high school credit.

Other provisions of the policy include credit-by-examination guidelines for the Advanced Placement program and the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) for secondary and other first-time students entering a public postsecondary institution. The Kentucky Standard Acceptable Scores for National Exams Table, also included in the policy, will provide information about the awarding of credit across public postsecondary institutions. The policy goes into effect in fall 2013.

In other business, the Council:

  • Approved a request from the University of Louisville to expand the Schnellenberger Football Complex weight and training rooms with $7.5 million of private funds. Project total scope is $7.5 million.
  • Approved a doctorate in physical therapy at Western Kentucky University and a master of science degree in clinical research design at the University of Kentucky.
  • Heard reports and presentations on a variety of topics: college readiness; campus performance presentations by Western Kentucky University, Northern Kentucky University, and the University of Louisville; President's report; KnowHow2 Transfer website; 2012 legislative session; Committee on Equal Opportunities; and received a report from the Commissioner of Education.

The next meeting will be held June 20-21.

Source: Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education