UF President Bernie Machen announced to the school’s Board of Trustees Friday morning that he decided to lower tuition increase request for the upcoming year from 15 percent to 9 percent.
The state set a 15 percent increase cap, which UF has requested and received for the past several years. Machen requested permission to increase tuition by more than the limit, but Gov. Rick Scott denied it in April.
Machen said in his address that he understands these are difficult times.
He said he is ready to pause on the notion of using tuition increase to help the budget issue.
With the change, Machen said he will have to find additional $5 million. Machen said the money will come from additional resources, which he did not name.
The Board of Trustees also approved the university’s proposed budget and tuition increase during their meeting.
Student Body President and trustee Tj Villamil said he was pleased that Machen listened to the student voice. At a meeting Thursday, he voted against a 15 percent increase, citing concerns for students who didn’t qualify for enough need-based financial aid and couldn’t afford that tuition hike.
He said Friday that he thought the 9 percent increase was a perfect compromise.
Machen said UF can still be a leader in higher education and understand the tough times people are facing.
“I think it will be good for us to do this,” Machen said.
Machen, who took office in 2004, also announced that he plans to step down in 2013 and will help the board search for his replacement.
