UW President Mark Emmert has decided to temporarily suspend his plan of substantial tuition hikes for the coming years because of increased monetary earmarks for the UW, outlined in Gov. Christine Gregoire's 2007-09 budget.

While in-state students no longer need to worry about tuition going up nearly 50 percent as previously estimated, there are still no guarantees the tuition will remain fixed at its current amount.

Gregoire's budget gives the UW administrators the discretion to increase tuition rates up to a maximum of 7 percent each year.

The future direction of tuition aside, Emmert stresses the underlying importance and necessity in ensuring the UW remains well funded — either through government funding or increasing tuition.

"Our interest is not in increasing tuition," he said. "But raising support for UW students and faculty and making sure we remain competitive with other universities."

While the proposed budget eliminated the need for drastic tuition increases, Emmert hasn't completely ruled out future tuition hikes.

"Tuition will be dependent on the state budget," he said. "As long as the governor and Legislature are willing to put money in UW, tuition hikes won't be necessary."

Despite increased funding by the government, however, ASUW Student Lobbyist Bryce McKibben does not believe any amount of money provided by the government will prevent the University from increasing tuition prices 7 percent annually.

"We have interesting dynamics here," he said. "The money Gregoire has proposed will not lower tuition costs."

With increased funding for higher education — including $111 million appropriated for UW out of the $30 billion budget proposal — some think there is a possibility of deficit spending to fund the budget.

According to projections, Washington state has a budget surplus of $1.9 billion. If the governor's budget is approved, analysts predict that in the next two years the state will spend $525 million more than it collects in taxes.

UW Chief Lobbyist Randy Hodgins remains optimistic that the budget proposal will pass legislature.

"I don't expect the legislature to do everything Gregoire wants," he said, "but I hope they stay relatively close to what she proposed."

Reach reporter Nathan Lee at nathanlee@thedaily.washington.edu

Tuition is due in one week. What are we paying for?

The average student at the University of Washington takes between 10 and 18 credits, costing about $2,000 each quarter. This amount is broken down into five categories: building, operating, services and activities, technology and the IMA.

A. OPERATING FEE $1,729

86 percent of total tuition cost

Encompasses all operations necessary for UW to run smoothly as an academic institution.

B. SERVICES & ACTIVITIES FEE $99

5 percent of total tuition cost

Funds student programs such as: ASUW & GPSS Activities, Student Publications, Student Loan Fund, Hall Health Primary Care Center, recreational sports programs, childcare, student legal services, Ethnic Cultural Center, Student Union facilities and UW CARES.

C. BUILDING FEE $91

5 percent of total tuition cost

Targets maintenance for all UW facilities and buildings.

D. TECHNOLOGY FEE $41

2 percent of total tuition cost

Used to improve technological resources on campus. The Student Technology Fee Committee determines the expenditure of this fee in correlation with ASUW, Graduate and Professional Student Senate and the Board of Regents.

E. IMA BOND FEE $35

2 percent of total tuition cost

Whether or not students attend the IMA on a regular basis, they are charged the IMA Bond fee, which is used for expansion of the building and improvements to recreational sports programs facilities. Specific uses include construction of a synthetic-turf, night-lighted, multi-activity sports field and renovation of the golf driving range.