Today Reps. Jeff Kaufmann (R-Wilton) and Pat Grassley (R-New Hartford) criticized the Iowa Board of Regents for their recent decision to raise the tuition at Iowa universities. With a vote of six to two, the board increased tuition by 4.2 percent. Kaufmann pointed out that during this economic uncertainty, it’s not the time to be raising tuition on Iowa’s students.

“Once again the regents leave Iowans shaking their head. They have presented their savings to the state of $17.5 million at Gov. Culver’s directive, yet two weeks ago they told undergraduate students that their tuition will go up $23 million next year,” said Kaufmann. “These are tough economic times for Iowa families. Can’t the regents spare students a 4.2% tuition hike?”

The previous two years, our regents institutions received over $100 million in new money.

Grassley and Kaufmann both pointed out the bonuses paid and delayed, high dollar severance packages, and the money to clean up the botched investigation of a sex assault case, in just this year alone. Increasing tuition after all of this will only lead to frustration and disappointment in Iowa’s higher learning institutions.

Perhaps most troublesome is that one university president recently resurrected a chief of staff position paying $140,000 a year. In 2007 the three lobbyists for the universities averaged a 5.8 % raise in their salaries totaling $93,000 per year.

“We believe this might be the “tip of the iceberg” in regard to poor fiscal decisions,” said Kaufmann. “When times get tough and money gets tight, the regents need to take a look at their budgets and spending and see where they can cut back, not push higher costs onto our students and families. This is what anyone who manages a family budget would do. “

Rep. Grassley will introduce a bill that prohibits raises and bonuses in presidential and other top administrative salaries if student tuition increases.

“I stand by common-sense budgeting and will do what it takes to protect our students,” Grassley stated.

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