UMass board to hike tuition if budget falls short

BOSTON (AP) - With one eye on Beacon Hill, University of Massachusetts trustees have voted to authorize up to a 4.9 percent increase in tuition and fees that would occur only if the Legislature does not approve the level of funding the university is seeking.

UMass officials said Wednesday they continue to hope for a tuition freeze in the next academic year if the Legislature approves $479 million in funding proposed by the governor and approved by the House.

The Senate approved a lower figure of $455 million.

House and Senate negotiators are working to resolve that and other differences in a $34 billion state budget for the fiscal year starting July 1.

The trustees' plan would allow for a tuition and fee increase if the final UMass appropriation falls below $479 million.

Cox Media Group