Southern Oregon president warns of steep tuition increase

PORTLAND — The president of Southern Oregon University warns the school might have to raise tuition by 12 percent if the state doesn't come through with additional funding.

Linda Schott told the Mail Tribune editorial board that such a tuition increase, along with a 3 to 5 percent increase in housing, would mean in-state, undergraduate students would pay an extra $1,300 to $1,600 a year.

To prevent such price increases, SOU and other public universities have asked the Oregon Legislature for an additional $100 million over the $667 million that Gov. Kate Brown has proposed for public universities in her budget.

The University of Oregon said last month that without extra funding it will have to increase tuition by nearly 11 percent to help close a $27.5 million budget gap.

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Information from: Mail Tribune, http://www.mailtribune.com/