LAS VEGAS -- Governor Sandoval proposed cuts in higher education funding during his State of the State Address Monday and now college students are waiting to see how deep the budget axe will cut.
Sandoval told Nevadans he's giving the University Board of Regents 17 percent less money and having them figure out what to cut. Higher education leaders are now on the defensive, deciding between tuition hikes or fewer classes.
UNLV's Greek organizations continue Recruitment Week while worrying about budget cuts proposed by Governor Sandoval that could lead to tuition hikes.
"He needs to stop increasing them because there's a lot of students who are already struggling especially with the economy and everything. A lot of parents don't have jobs," said Karla Ramirez, UNLV freshman.
"It's hard enough to get federal loans for money. I'll have to take out loans as opposed to being able to pay for a semester out of pocket," said Teri Marx, UNLV graduate student.
Governor Sandoval says Nevada's tuition rates are "well below our western neighbors." 8 News NOW checked, and UNLV's tuition is in the middle of the pack. Wyoming is least expensive. Colorado charges the most. Nevada also charges near the average amount for community colleges including CSN and Nevada State College.
"In order to make up for the budget shortfall that we're looking at, we'd have to take tuition up as much as 70 percent. If we take tuition up 70 percent, we're going to be well above our sister states," said University Regent Michael Wixom.
University Regents tell 8 News NOW they may accept a 15 percent tuition hike spread over two years with other program cuts. Regent Wixom also counters Governor Sandoval's assertion the education system is broken.
"Higher education is not broken in Nevada," said Wixom. "Our graduation rate goes up to nearly 80 percent. It's a fundamental mis-statement to assume that our graduation rate in Nevada is 50 percent."
UNLV's leaders are being asked to cut as much these next two years as they did the previous four years.
"$97.1 million and 52.5 percent of our budget gone in a six year period," said Neal Smatresk, UNLV president.
Just as they did last year, southern Nevada's college students plan to protest outside legislative meetings at the Grant Sawyer building. The first protest will be Saturday at 8 a.m. University regents have their first meeting about possible tuition hikes February 3.
