Florida university students could face another round of 15 percent tuition hikes next fall, under a spending plan unveiled Tuesday by the House Higher Education budget committee.

Gov. Rick Scott, who has been pushing schools to expand their science, technology, education and mathematics programs, saying STEM degrees are what employers are seeking. But Scott, who has questioned the spending practices at state universities, notably didn’t call for a tuition increase in his $66.4 billion state budget proposal, released last month.

Committee Chair Marlene O’Toole, R-Lady Lake,  acknowledged that the proposed tuition hike will prove controversial — and may face open opposition from Scott. But with state support for universities slashed by 6.2 percent — following a pattern that has seen public funding reduced 17 percent between 2007 and 2010 — tuition’s role has grown.

Since Florida universities were authorized to boost tuition by as much as 15 percent, beginning in 2007, the cost for students and their families has climbed 60 percent. O’Toole pointed out, however, that Florida’s average $5,626 annual tuition is still among the lowest in the nation.

Colleges could increase their tuition by 8 percent next year, under the House proposal.

Gov. Charlie Crist today gave approval to his “dear friend” Frank Brogan taking over the state university system. “He’s a real state treasure, there’s no question about it.”

“It’s great to be home,” Brogan said at a press event at the governor’s office today.

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From friend-of-the-blog Kim Miller over at our sister site, Extra Credit :

Leaders of Florida’s 11 universities mobilized Thursday to wage war against statewide budget cuts one school president likened to “Armageddon.”

On Friday they continued to plan their attack on a 30-minute conference call where suggestions ranged from organizing a mass e-mail campaign, calling lawmakers at home during the weekend and seeking help from a higher power _ God.

When asked toward the end of the meeting if anyone had any other advice, someone blurted out “Pray!”

“Yes, pray, that’s a very good idea,” said Board of Governors chairman Sheila McDevitt.

Another university representative (it was hard to know who was speaking on the call) made the dire prediction that they have 36 hours to save the university system.

Presidents from 10 of Florida’s 11 universities stormed the state Capitol today to urge lawmakers to keep the college’s budget whole. The issue over how much to spend on higher education is holding up the closed-door budget negotiations between the two chambers.

Lawmakers will probably hand them the power to raise tuition up to 15 percent next year, but the presidents said that was not enough. Further cuts, the presidents said, would force colleges to shut down programs, lay off teachers and furlough staff.

Cut would also kill the state’s efforts to pull through the economic recession.

Here’s a sample of their comments today (click on the links to hear their full statements).

UF President Bernie Machen

“If we are crippled to the extent that we’re unable to be responsive, everybody suffers. It’s a clarion call from the presidents to try and make sure the entire state understands the seriousness of the situation.”

FIU President Modesto A. Maidique

“This is not just another budget reduction, another cycle that we emerge from in a year or two and things will be fine … This is armageddon.”

“It takes generations to build universities, but they can be destroyed in a very short period of time – a period of two or three years.”

UCF President John C. Hitt

“This indeed a grave situation. The fact that 10 of us are here today speaks to that.”

FAMU President James H. Ammons

“Jeopardizing our future by failing to continue to invest in higher education in this budget is not the path to a bright future … This would drastically change the way Florida A&M operates.”

UNF President John Delaney

“We’re not trying to attack or be critical, but we’re very, very concerned about where the numbers are at this point in time.”

From the Palm Beach Post editorial board this morning:

Sen. King has been in the Legislature since 1987. As a former House majority leader and Senate president, he’s been one of Tallahassee’s most powerful legislators. If he had wanted to make the university system great, it would be. It isn’t. It’s good, but far from one of the country’s best.

Yet Sen. King touts that political experience as a qualification to run the university system. Why, he’d even resign his Senate seat if chosen, presumably trying to distinguish himself from Rep. Ray Sansom, R-Destin, who quit as speaker because he got a six-figure job at Northwest Florida College after steering millions to the institution.

But does Sen. King want the job because he has a plan to make the system great? No. He has a plan to make himself some money.

Read the entire piece here.