Another univ. proposes tuition hike

MUNCIE, Ind. (WANE/AP) - Another public university seems to be headed for a tuition increase.

Increases of 4.4 percent increase for 2009-10 and 4.9 percent for the following school year are proposed for Ball State University. No one spoke against the proposed increases at a Monday hearing.

If the board of trustees approves the proposal Friday, tuition and fees at Ball State will rise from $7,500 to $7,830 this coming year and $8,214 the following year.

University President Jo Ann Gora said fees for a new recreation center account for much of the increases. She said that without the fees, the increases would be well below 4 percent.

Tuition at Ball State is increasing $228 this coming school year and $280 in 2010-11. The recreation center fee will be $90 this year and will double next year.

Last week, Indiana and Purdue Universities and Ivy Tech announced they will raise tuition by almost 5 percent.

IU officials blamed the increase on rising costs for repairs, hiring and health care.