By Cindy Kranz
The Cincinnati Enquirer

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS - University of Cincinnati students could get hit with a 9.9 percent tuition increase next school year, if the school's board of trustees approves it at its March 30 meeting.

That would bring tuition to $8,378 a year. Tuition also went up 9.9 percent this year, raising the cost to $7,623 annually.

UC's Finance Division recommended the increase to the board of trustees' finance committee this week.

A tuition increase is needed because expenses are going up $31 million next year because of increases in teacher and staff salaries, health care, utilities, equipment, instructional technology and other costs, said UC spokesman Greg Hand.

"The state is not going to do anything for us," Hand said. "In fact, for next year's budget, the state will give us a $3 million cut."

UC's Finance Division recommends a two-pronged approach - budget cuts and a tuition increase to meet rising costs. The school's budget will be cut about $15 million, with cuts to be determined.

The university also will ask employees to contribute more toward the cost of health care, Hand said. Until about a year ago, employees made no contributions for health care.

UC's student advisory group said it understands the reasons for raising tuition, but asked that it be announced earlier than usual, so students can plan, Hand said. Tuition increases are typically announced in June when the budget is completed.

The board of trustees will vote on the tuition recommendation March 30, but the rest of the budget, including cuts, won't be ready until the end of June.

UC's current budget is $802 million. The projected budget for the 2005 fiscal year, which starts July 1, is about $835 million.The university still faces a $14.2 million shortfall this year and has already cut about $13.8 million.

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E-mail ckranz@enquirer.com