The Idaho State Board of Education (SBOE) approved the proposed 4.5 percent tuition increase for Idaho State University on April 17. The approved amount matched the increase requested by the university.

The tuition increase will take effect starting fall of 2013. Tuition will increase from $6,070 to $6,344 annually, meaning students will see a total annual increase of $274.

ASISU President Matt Bloxham attended the SBOE meetings in Moscow when fee increases were being decided on April 17 and 18.

Bloxham reiterated his stance that students wanted a zero percent increase but said he understood under the circumstances why the increase was necessary.

“I think it‘s a terrible situation across the country where the costs of higher education are getting shifted more and more onto the backs of students,” said Bloxham.

The SBOE also decided on tuition increases for Boise State University, University of Idaho, Lewis-Clark State College and Eastern Idaho Technical College at their meeting on April 17.

ISU’s approved increase was the second lowest in terms of percentage increase of the five higher-education institutions, below that of Boise State University, Eastern Idaho Technical College and University of Idaho and above that of Lewis-Clark State College.

Boise State University came in with the highest percentage increase at 6.9 percent while Lewis-Clark State College had the lowest at 4 percent.

“This fall will be the first time in the history of ISU where the amount of money going into the general fund from student fees and tuition is higher than that of state appropriated funding,” said Bloxham.

Bloxham said the 4.5 percent increase is the lowest increase ISU has seen in over 20 years.