The University of Maine System Board of trustees voted to approve a one-year freeze of in-state tuition rates at their meeting Monday. The decision, based on a motion from Trustee Karl Turner, marks the first year since 1987 that tuition rates have not increased. Tuition increased 4.3 percent last year.
“I endorse a one year freeze,” said Turner in a press release Monday. “Taking a one year at a time approach is a big step forward in the right direction.”
While tuition rates are usually not decided until May, the decision Monday was made as part of a set of goals and actions “to move quickly forward in key areas of program and workforce development, cost control and student success,” according to the press release. The first directive concerning student success calls for a budget which allows the tuition freeze.