USF President Vows No Tuition Increase If Request Met

University of South Florida students will not see a tuition increase next year if the school gets it way.

The school — along with other state universities — has agreed not to raise tuition costs at all in 2012-13 if Tallahassee legislators fund $118 million toward the state university system.

USF President Judy Genshaft and other heads of state universities gathered at the state capital earlier this month to show support for the student-led Aim Higher initiative. University officials say public schools are historically under-funded.

Gov. Rick Scott has previously stated he opposes tuition hikes.

“Our students, faculty members, staff, community partners and legislators can be confident that our state universities are operating efficiently and with strict accountability,” Dr. Arthur Guilford, regional chancellor of University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, said in a statement. “We will continue to provide students with access to a world-class education, a pathway to rewarding careers and the capacity to succeed in the most complex jobs of the future, whatever they may be.”

Aim Higher leaders say $118 million would provide the equivalent of a 15 percent tuition hike across the Florida system, according to Bloomberg Businessweek.

What do you think about this Carrollwood? Should the state fund Aim Higher? Or, do you think universities should look at shaving their budgets? Share your thoughts in the comments section!