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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The board that controls tuition hikes for Utah's eight public colleges and universities is not adequately doing its job, according to a recent audit.
Tuition across the state has increased by nearly $132 million over the past five years and the Utah State Board of Regents approved the increases with little documented discussion, said a report from the Office of the Legislative Auditor General.
The scathing audit, released Monday, described it as a "superficial review" of proposed increases.
"We're calling for analysis to show where that need is," said Kade Minchey, audit manager. "Our concern is that tuition has been increased with minimal independent analysis to support the increases."
House Majority Leader Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville, expressed frustration over the audit's findings, saying "I have seen a lot of audits in the time I've been here and this is one of the worst."
In 2015, 2016 and 2017, "the Board of Regents' first-tier tuition percentage increases were more than double what the appropriation match would have entailed," the audit states.
"Where is that money going?" Wilson asked.
Each spring, the Utah Board of Regents approves a uniform percentage increase for all the colleges in its system. This "tier one" increase — 1.5 percent this year, 2.5 percent the year before — covers inflation and staff compensation.
Individual universities can then lobby for an extra "tier two" increase to include more expenses, such as the construction of a new stadium or hiring more faculty.
Our concern is that tuition has been increased with minimal independent analysis to support the increases.
–Kade Minchey, audit manager
The board receives recommendations for both tiers from the commissioner of higher education, compiled by staff that meet privately with the universities and provide no public minutes of what was said behind doors. The regents then give the green light to those, the audit concludes, without much discussion, debate or examination of where the funds will be used. And it has never denied a request.
Board response: restructuring system
In response, the board acknowledged its shortcomings and announced plans Monday to restructure its system for approving tuition hikes.
Starting this coming spring, there will no longer be tiered increases or uniform rates across all schools. Instead, each university will be required to present an individualized request for a tuition change during a public hearing.
Board members will listen to the proposals, review them and then approve a percentage increase they deem appropriate for each institution.
"We're very concerned about keeping tuition affordable," said Harris Simmons, chair of the Board of Regents, during a report on the state's findings Monday at the Capitol.
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