
FIU trustees OK tuition hike, make department cuts
MIAMI (AP) -- Florida International University's board of trustees approved a 15 percent tuition increase and decided to save some popular departments from the chopping block while cutting others.
Trustees unanimously approved the tuition increase Friday and decided against immediately cutting three departments, including the bachelor's degree program within the Department of Religious studies. They cut 10 less popular programs, including undergraduate degrees in french education and mathematical sciences.
FIU has been struggling to balance its budget after a $27 million cut in state funding.
The Department of Religious Studies gained attention in May when the Dalai Lama offered a $100,000 donation toward preventing its closing.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)