In-state tuition hike approved

WILLIMANTIC, Conn. (WTNH) -- A tuition hike at the state's regional universities and community colleges was passed Thursday. 

College kids march and protest all the time, but rarely is it about something the affects them so directly as an $800 a year tuition hike.

"I'm just here as a voice saying I'm not happy and it's not right," said student Elise Davis. "Cut their salaries. Why look at our tuition?"

The "they" they're protesting is the Board of Regents. The board met at ECSU Thursday to vote to raise tuition by $800 a year at Eastern, Southern, Central, and Western Connecticut state universities, and by nearly $200 a year at the community colleges. The board chair blames cuts in state aid and falling admissions numbers.

"Things are becoming more expensive. Bills have to be paid. We have a fiduciary duty for both our colleges and our universities," said Lewis Robinson, Board of Regents Chairman.

Now in addition to the tuition increase for Connecticut residents, there had been talk of a tuition decrease for out-of-state students to try to get them to come to Connecticut schools. That proved so unpopular it was taken off the table.

"There was not substantial and sufficient information to justify that decision, so we're not going to do it," said Robinson.

However, the $800 tuition hike comes on the heels of a previous hike. For some, it means more than $3,000 in additional student loans for a four year education.

"That's a lot of money for me. So I'm asking my parents' generation and my grandparents' generation, don't saddle us with this debt when we are just getting out of school," said student Miles Wilkerson.

And that's for students who can afford to stay in school.