University of New Mexico regents on Tuesday approved a 6.1 percent tuition increase for the 2006-07 academic year that will cost a full-time undergraduate $4,360 a year, according to this morning's Albuquerque Journal.

Now, New Mexico State University President Michael Martin is proposing an 8 percent hike in tuition and required fees that would push costs for students from the current $3,918 a year to $4,230, according to the Las Cruces Sun-News. Increases also are being sought in the cost of meal plans and student housing, the Sun-News said.

NMSU regents, who unanimously approved a 6.8 percent increase last April, will meet Thursday morning to consider Martin's proposal.

But the Sun-News reports today on its Web site that Martin could have a tough time selling the increase, which includes a Legislature-mandated 3 percent increase but also funds for rapidly growing programs in nursing, K-12 teacher education and distance education.

M. Steven Anaya, recently named president of the NMSU regents, said he agrees with Martin's proposal but fears an 8 percent increase "may hit people too hard," the Sun-News reported.

"We are looking more at a 5 percent increase than the 8 percent because it will affect (parents and students) less," Anaya told the Sun-News. "We need to fund the university in another way instead of on the backs of parents and students."

Martin said the main reason for seeking tuition and fee hikes is slumping enrollment at NMSU's main campus in Las Cruces over the past few semesters, which in turn has resulted in loss of state funding, the Sun-News reported.

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