A proposed tuition freeze has suffered a thawing blow with the announcement of Gov. James Thompson’s spending plans for higher education.

The governor’s budget is “a step forward” for higher education but a “very small step,” failing to meet the fiscal year 1991 expectations, said Richard Wagner, Illinois Board of Higher Education director.

Higher education received a 21 percent increase this year, but Thompson said the limited available money for next year limited his recommendations.

Although the recommended budget does not provide the required funds to meet all the education needs of Illinois, Thompson said, he feels it is sensible in part because it gives the largest education funding increase.

NIU Provost Kendall Baker said, although last year’s increase was appreciated, “it was simply a good year among many bad years.”

Thompson requested the IBHE to work with the higher education community in preparing allocations based on his budget to be presented on March 7.

The IBHE does not want to increase tuition at public colleges and universities next year, Wagner said. The board needs to consider all funding and budget requirements before giving money to university governing boards, he said.

Student Regent Brian Hopkins, from Sangamon State University in Springfield, proposed a tuition freeze for Regency universities in December, but the IBHE and Board of Regents made no formal response.

The Board of Regents governs NIU, SSU and Illinois State University at Normal.

NIU Student Regent Bob Tisch said he will endorse a tuition freeze for next year.