SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock University students and families may have to come up with a few more dollars for tuition starting next year.

The university's council of trustees voted 6-2 Friday morning to approve a 3.5 percent tuition increase, which is needed due to a $4.6 million budget deficit heading into the 2020-21 school year.

The tuition increase must be approved by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education's Board of Governors before it becomes official. The board's next meeting is in April.

Tuition would go up next year from $7,716 to $7,986, and to $8,266 in the 2021-22 school year.

The tuition increase would provide $2.7 in additional revenue.

The council also voted to restructure its fundraising model to provide additional revenue.

Molly Mercer, SRU's chief financial officer, said while tuition would increase by $270 and then $280 the next year, most fees associated with studying at SRU will not rise.

The total current cost for a student to attend the university and live on campus is $20,923.

With the increase, that cost would rise to $21,310 next year and $21,640 in 2021-22.

SRU President William Behre said he understands the difficulty in voting to increase tuition.

“Everything is dedicated to the success of students,” he said. “No one wants to put up barriers.”

He said because contracts are escalating, an outsized tuition increase would be necessary in four years.

“This is a fiscally responsible institution,” he said. “We would not be asking for this if we didn't wholeheartedly need it.”

Trustee Matthew Lautman said when he and his friends attended SRU, they paid their own tuition and fees because their parents were not wealthy.

“I don't want to price a student out of being able to afford an education here,” he said.

But Lautman said he would vote in favor of the increase because he wants the university to survive and thrive.

Trustee Robert Taylor agreed the increase would be tough for parents earning $50,000 per year or less.

Taylor fears those families will send their students to trade schools or community colleges.

“There are so many places we ought to look before we lay this on the kids and parents,” he said. “A tuition (increase) should be the last thing considered.”

He said the university needs more financial support from Harrisburg and should look at creative ways to raise money.

“Just think of the parents at the kitchen table trying to figure out how to pay for this,” Taylor said.

He voted against the increase.

Trustee Suzanne Vessella also voted against the increase, suggesting the action is the easy way out of a financial situation such as a deficit.

“It's time to stop putting this on the backs of students and their parents,” Vessella said.

Trustee Chairman Jeff Smith said he would grudgingly vote in favor of the increase, mainly because Behre brought it to the council for a vote instead of using his own authority to force an increase.

Trustee Bill McCarrier said students still are getting a good deal, as the university added 18 courses for its 9,000 students.

He said the university surveys the marketplace to determine where professionals are needed and adds programs in those fields.

Students at the Robert M. Smith Student Center seemed to agree with McCarrier.

“It sounds like a good thing if they are supplementing new programs for students to grow with,” said junior Lydia Zoeller.

Sophomore Alex Persio worries about high-schoolers who are considering colleges.

“I like it here, so I won't look elsewhere, but I know that would affect a lot of students considering coming here,” he said.