Universities, officials rally for funding - JENS MANUEL KROGSTAD, Des Moines Register

Gov. Terry Branstad said students at Iowa’s three public universities could face another tuition hike yet this year if lawmakers fail to approve the $20 million increase in funding he proposed for the institutions. Branstad made the comments Monday at the Iowa State Fairgrounds during the kickoff for a series of rallies across the state designed to build support for higher education funding. “We have a chance to help students so that you don’t have to have another increase in tuition over and above what was approved by the regents,” Branstad said. The state Board of Regents approved a 3.75 percent hike for most Iowans next fall, though board members have left open the possibility of further hikes if the Legislature cuts funding to the universities for a fourth consecutive year.