The Associated Press

MURRAY, Ky. - Administrators at Murray State University have approved a 15.9 percent increase in student tuition.

Form student government president Jace Rabe was the only dissenting vote at Friday's board of regents meeting.

The increase means in-state undergraduate students will pay $1,472 per semester, or $202 more. Nonresident undergraduates will pay $4,416 per semester, $606 more. Graduate students will pay $222 to $666 more per semester.

More than 10,200 students are expected to attend Murray this fall, generating $3.2 million in new tuition revenue for the school's 2003-04 operating budget.

Tom Denton, vice president for financial administration, said increased funding offset more than $2.2 million in state cuts in the past two years, leaving a net loss of $200,000.

Reallocating funds from the administrative and academic offices and eliminating more than 20 full-time faculty and 60 part-time faculty positions made up for the loss, Alexander said.