The Western Kentucky University Board of Regents approves a $329-million budget and an eight-percent tuition increase for students this coming school year.
WKU President Gary Ransdell says the tuition increase won't be used to offset the six-percent budget cuts made to postsecondary education earlier this year, but will help cover unavoidable cost increases and fund programs such as the honor college and study abroad.
The tuition rise amounts to $257 per semester.
The budget also includes a $500 increase in base salary for all full-time employees.
Last December, Governor Steve Beshear ordered a three-percent cut, followed by an additional three-percent cut in April by the General Assembly to postsecondary education.
