SEATTLE -- University of Washington regents are expected this week to approve an increase of 20 to 22 percent for undergraduate, in-state tuition.
This exceeds the 16 percent increase approved by state lawmakers this year, but the university said it needs to raise tuition even more to avoid deep cuts to programs and classes.
With a 20 percent increase, in-state tuition and mandatory fees at UW would total $10,574. With a 22 percent increase, the total would be $10,737.
The news frustrates Andrew Lewis, government relations director for the Associated Students of UW.
"We are opposed to the current tuition increase on the basis that we feel it's too much, too quick," he said.
Lewis thinks more public input is needed before the board votes.
"We understand the university's going to have to make tough decisions," Lewis said. "But we want to see what this model looks like at 16 percent and what it looks like at 18 percent and 20 percent."
Student Eugene Mu is friends with an out-of-state student who had to transfer to a cheaper college last year.
"She came up here to get an education from U-Dub, but instead she's getting an education from another school because of money," Mu said. "That's absurd to me."
But without the proposed tuition hike, school officials believe many programs would vanish.
Under state law, UW will need to set aside more money for financial aid if the school raises tuition beyond 16 percent.
The board is scheduled to vote on the tuition increase Thursday morning.
