The Arizona Board of Regents approved 2006-07 tuition rates for nonresident undergraduates and all graduate students at Arizona's three universities but deferred a decision on in-state undergraduate tuition until its next meeting at the end of April.

The board accepted the tuition recommendations of the three university presidents at its meeting March 9 in Tucson. The regents approved a 3.6 percent increase for nonresident undergraduates and resident and nonresident graduate students at Northern Arizona University.

Regent Robert Bulla made the motion to table action on undergraduate resident tuition. Bulla noted that Arizona's economy had improved and that the regents might know more about the Legislature's intent with appropriations for the universities next month.

In presenting NAU's tuition recommendation, President John Haeger said the university significantly moderated tuition this year in hopes the Legislature will provide necessary state support to fund priorities such as faculty and staff salaries, repairing dilapidated buildings and expanding access to higher education through distance learning.

"We're saying to the state we need help this year," Haeger said.

The regents also approved new and revised NAU course fees that Haeger said were needed to cover expenses related to field trips, expendable materials, technology and other costs.

The total of recommended tuition and mandatory fees approved by ABOR for the 2006-07 academic year are:

• Graduate Resident (Flagstaff)—$4,898
• Graduate Resident (Statewide)—$4,817
• Graduate Nonresident (Flagstaff)—$13,858
• Graduate Nonresident (Statewide)—$13,777
• Undergraduate Nonresident (Flagstaff)—$13,487
• Undergraduate Nonresident (Statewide)—$13,406

In other action, ABOR approved new residence hall and meal plan rates for the 2006-07 year.

NAU residence hall rates will increase by an average of $200 per year for single student housing and $38 per month for family apartments. The meal plan will increase by an average of $106 for 2006-07.