Education

Montana University System officials seek tuition freeze

Posted: Jan 22, 2013 4:00 PM by Marnee Banks - MTN News
Updated: Jan 22, 2013 4:06 PM

HELENA - The leaders of the Montana University System are asking the Legislature for enough funding to be able to freeze tuition for another two years.

Montana State University President Waded Cruzado and University of Montana President Royce Engstrom are both presenting their budget requests to the education subcommittee all this week.

They are hopeful they can secure enough funding so the universities can keep tuition flat.

Meanwhile, Commissioner of Higher Education Clayton Christian is asking lawmakers to also fund inflationary increases and pass pay raises for university employees.

"We need to make sure we convey to you all over the next few days the importance and the relevance of education. And ultimately what it means to have an affordable, and that's a key word, affordable, strong higher education system in the state, both for the citizens that participate in it and their families," Christian told lawmakers.

The education budget subcommittee will draft a budget and send it to the full Legislature for a full vote.