Regents Want Governor to Freeze Tuition for College Students

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — The South Dakota Board of Regents is asking the governor to freeze tuition for in-state college students in the coming year.

The regents voted Wednesday to ask Governor Dennis Daugaard for $4.7 million to prevent the cost of higher education from further shifting onto students. Their hope is that they can bring the funding ratio between students and the state back to even over three years.

The overall budget asks for $14.2 million more for new and ongoing funding for the state's six public universities and two special schools. The board is also seeking $14.2 million in one-time spending.

The regents are asking Daugaard to make a tuition freeze for resident students the highest priority when he puts together his recommended budget for fiscal year 2017.

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