By Brenna Angel
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-965272.mp3
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Tuition isn't the only thing going up at the University of Kentucky.
UK announced last week plans to increase tuition by six percent. At Monday's budget forum, university treasurer Angie Martin added that on campus housing will get a nine percent hike and the minimum dining plan for students will jump 3 percent.
That means overall tuition, mandatory fees, housing, and room and board will cost an in state undergraduate student $15,880 a year.
Still, Martin says the University of Kentucky is a good deal.
"Looking at other institutions, the quality of the education that students get here, as well just the value of higher education in general."
The higher housing fee will help UK pay off debt service for building a new dorm, which will eventually replace Jewell and Boyd Halls.
Even with the extra revenue generated by tuition, Martin says some departments will have to make up to a 2.5 percent cut in their budget.
"It is difficult; we are getting more and more lean. Of course no one likes to increase tuition and mandatory fees either. We are of course concerned about the whole financial structure of higher education in general and just how is that going to proceed in the future."
Like other universities, UK is again facing a reduction in state government funding to the tune of one percent, or three million dollars.
The budget proposal does include a 3 percent raise for non-healthcare faculty and staff, which would be the first pay bump in three years.
Martin will make an initial budget recommendation to the UK Board of Trustees on May 3.