Board rejects NDSU request for modest tuition bump

WAHPETON, N.D. (AP) — The state Board of Higher Education has rejected North Dakota State University's request for a one-half of one percent tuition increase after some board members said they feared retaliation by lawmakers.

The board on Thursday approved maximum tuition increases of 2.5 percent for four-year colleges but opted to freeze NDSU. Some board members say it would upset legislators after the school received an 8.8 percent bump for this year.

NDSU president Dean Bresciani says the school would likely have to cut academic programs and services without the additional money. Board president Grant Shaft says he fears lawmakers would axe the previous NDSU increase if the request was approved.

The motion died after a 4-4 vote. Michael Haugen, Terry Hjelmsted, Richie Smith and student member Robert Vallie voted in favor.

Tags: higher education, north dakota, updates, ndsu, fargo, news