BROOKINGS, S.D.(KJJQ)- One of the measures to make it through the legislature during the final days of session was nearly $9 million in funding to fully cover the six-percent state pay increases for university faculty and staff. That means the Board of Regents can freeze tuition. Without it, students would have had to pay for about 55-percent of the pay hike.

South Dakota State University President Barry Dunn.

Dunn says they’ve put the word out to students.

He says, after talking to university presidents from around the region, this looks even more important.

The legislature also passed a measure for extra funding for the tech schools to allow them to freeze tuition as well.