Trustees concerned with tuition plans

Discussion delayed on proposal to cut increases in half

Some UConn Board of Trustees members are pushing back against a proposal that would cut the school’s scheduled in-state tuition increase for next school year in half, citing concerns about potential revenue loss and requests from UConn administrators to delay further discussion on the issue.

“I have some severe issues both on a procedural basis and on a substantive basis with this proposal. I’m not surprised the administration asked us not to proceed today,” board member Tom Ritter said in a virtual meeting Wednesday. “I don’t think it’s a matter of just waiting until March to do this. ... I hope whatever we do today, we’ll have a process so the board can interact, have some discussions, prior to this coming back — if it is going to come back at all — in March.”

The board voted to further discuss the proposal publicly when they reconvene for their next monthly meeting March 24. Andy Bessette, vice chair of the board’s financial affairs committee and an executive with Travelers, recommended the board take more time to review the proposal. He also noted the administration’s request, as well as “some moving targets with federal funding.”

At a town hall meeting last week, the university proposed plans to cut the expected 4.3% tuition increase, or about $625, for in-state students this coming fall to 2.2%, or about $312. It would mark the lowest tuition and fees increase in about 20 years. If approved by the board, the General University Fee as well as fees for housing, dining, recreation, infrastructure maintenance and technology would be frozen at their current level for the coming academic year, UConn said.

“We’re doing this for a number of reasons, but all of it is related to the understanding of the financial