Regents approved locked-in tuition

? Tuition rates have been locked in at state universities for the 2005-2006 school year.

As expected, the Kansas Board of Regents approved the rates this morning. But for the first time during the current five-year plan of large tuition increases, there were dissenting votes.

Regent Donna Shank of Liberal voted against the two proposals for largest increases in tuition and fees – 14.3 percent at Kansas University and 9.8 percent at Kansas State University, for resident undergraduate students. Regent Deryl Wynn of Kansas City, Kan., also voted against the KU plan.

“(Middle-class Kansans) are concerned they can’t send their children to college based on what they’ve saved and what they’ve been able to liquidate,” Wynn said.

Tuition and fees at KU will be $2,706.50 per semester at KU, up $338.25.

Increases at other state schools ranged from 5.2 percent at Fort Hays State University to 9.8 percent at KSU.