WINONA, Minn., Feb. 28, 2001 -- The Winona State Student Senate voted to support university President Darrell Krueger's new proposal to hike tuition as much as 9 percent in the fall. Last fall the Senate went along with a 6 percent Krueger proposal, but he came back saying he will need more if Gov. Jesse Ventura's budget is approved by the Legislature. At 9 percent, tuition would go up $257 a year for full-time students. The Senate action does not mean that the increase is certain. That's up to the state college board of trustees. It means that the Senate has pledged to support Krueger in pitching the hike to the trustees. Krueger thanked the Senate for its suport: "We'll keep your university strong next year." He said the additional 3 percent tuition increase will result in $546,000 in increased revenue next year.

It's firm: Nelly to make WSU

WINONA, Minn., Feb. 28, 2001 -- The hip-hop performer Nelly confirmed he will perform at Winona State University on April 22. The closing bid was $41,000 plus about $3,000 in production costs. In addition, student union Director Joe Red said, Winona State will have to pitch in another $10,000 for staging, barricades, security, agent fees and other costs. Reed said Nelly chose the 22nd, a Sunday: "I reserved five dates for Nelly, and his representative chose the best date for them." Nelly will be performing at Southern Illinois University the preceding Friday and will need two days to travel to Winona, Reed said. Tickets will be limited to two per person, he said.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2001 -- Although aides to President Bush have indicated for several weeks that the president will call for large increases in the popular Pell grants for college students, the President was silent on the subject in an address to Congress. College lobbyists had hoped for a $1 billion increase in Pell funding for next fall, mostly to raise the maximum grant for freshmen. The max for next fall now is $3,750. During the campaign, Bush had promised larger grants to first-year students, which worried many four-year colleges because it would favor students at two-year colleges. Details on the President's Pell plan may be in a broad budget blueprint to be released Wednesday or in his fully detailed budget.

PRESIDENT BUSH
No word yet on college aid