Sen. Joe Stegner
The Idaho Senate on Tuesday voted 32-2 for a constitutional amendment to allow tuition at the University of Idaho, a move to help the Moscow school manage its budget.
The measure is sponsored by Idaho Sen. Joe Stegner, who says the change addresses a law from the state’s territorial days when the school was founded in 1889 that forbids most UI students from paying tuition.
Idaho Senator Joe Stegner comments
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Instead of tuition, Vandals pay “student fees.” However, since Idaho prevents student fees from paying for professors, UI is forbidden from shifting that money to shore up instructional costs.
Stegner continues
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Idaho’s other four-year schools – Boise State University, Idaho State University, and Lewis-Clark State College – charge tuition.
If the amendment clears the House on a two-thirds vote, it will go before Idaho voters in 2010. (AP)
