Topeka ? Worried they won’t be heard in decision-making that could double the cost of tuition, Kansas University students Thursday went to the Board of Regents toting Valentines and heart-shaped signs.

“Love = fair tuition” and “We love KU as a good buy,” their signs read.

“We are upping the ante,” said Maggie Beedles, a KU junior and one of about 20 KU students involved in the protest. “We’re not going away.

Student persistence apparently has helped persuade regents to delay their decision on tuition rates until May to allow for more discussions on campus. Regents also want to see the outcome of budget deliberations in the 2002 Legislature.

“We feel like, given the legislative budget situation, we can do the best we can for higher education by waiting (until May),” said Regent Fred Kerr of Pratt.

Originally, the tuition decision was to be made in April. Though KU students requested the vote be delayed, student leaders at other state schools wanted the decision sooner so students would know tuition rates for the fall 2002 school year.

Now, plans call for university leaders to present their proposals to the regents in April, followed by a May vote. Kerr said the recommendations in April would give students an approximate amount for their fall tuition.

The regents in November asked universities to develop a five-year tuition plan. KU administrators say they need an additional $50 million per year, if they are to match funding at similar “peer” universities in other states.

That would require tuition increases as much as $2,880 per student over the next five years, barring state funding increases. Tuition and fees for an undergraduate resident student currently are about $2,884 per year.

KU officials conducted a series of presentations for students late last fall, but some KU student senators said they wanted discussions  not presentations  with administrators on the issue. They protested at the January regents meeting.

Since then, Student Senate started a campuswide tuition committee that includes faculty, staff and administrators.

“There’s no guarantee the things they talk about will actually happen,” said Karen Keith, a KU junior. “We just want to push (regents) to make sure they listen.”

Regent Janice DeBauge of Emporia said the students have the board’s attention.

“It’s always good to talk with students and hear their perspective,” she said.

KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway said the campus committee’s input would be considered when administrators make their tuition proposal to the regents in April.

“We need student ideas for where the money will go,” he said. “The students are experiencing the system every day. Their input is very valuable.”