Governor, ISU President Reveal Tuition-Lock Pilot Program

MERIDIAN, Idaho (AP) — Gov. C. L. "Butch" Otter has unveiled a pilot program that would freeze tuition for incoming freshmen at Idaho State University.

Otter announced the program Thursday after his own statewide tuition initiative failed to gain support during this year's legislative session. The new program would ensure all incoming freshman would have fixed-tuition for four years. However, the plan still needs to be approved by the state's Board of Education.

The program currently does not have state funding. Otter says lawmakers misunderstood his $8 million proposal during the session. He says ISU's program will serve as an example for a statewide policy in future years. ISU President Arthur Vailas says he's seeking a tuition increase this year of 2.5 percent.