Florida Atlantic University plans to seek a hefty tuition increase for the fall, despite growing concerns about the rising costs of college.

The Board of Trustees approved a proposal Tuesday to increase undergraduate tuition by the state-allowed maximum of 15 percent, and student fees by 6 percent. A full-time in-state student would pay $6,139, up $656 from the current year, if the State University System's Board of Governors approves the request on Thursday.

FAU officials say they had no choice. The Legislature slashed funding by nearly $25 million and told universities to increase tuition by 15 percent to help offset the cuts. FAU also plans to close the Port St. Lucie and Fort Lauderdale campuses, strip public funding from the SeaTech research center in Dania Beach and lay off 60 employees.

"We did not ask for this reduction. This has been very, very painful," Trustee Sherry Plymale said. "We're concerned with offering the best educational product, and there's no other way we can do that."

Nine of the state's 11 public universities are seeking the full 15 percent increases, but there's a strong possibility they won't all get it, Chancellor Frank Brogan said in Tallahassee last week. Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday also urged state university officials not to make big increases in tuition, while meeting with presidents and Board of Trustee chairs in Orlando.

"Just because tuition is going up doesn't mean the revenue to the university has gone up. It's gone down," said Bob Stilley, chairman of the FAU trustees, who met with Scott. "We can not afford to not raise tuition or it's going to hurt the university."

The University of Florida and the University of South Florida decided not to seek the full 15 percent. UF is requesting an 9 percent increase and USF 11 percent.

Not all FAU trustees supported the increases. Student Government President Robert Huffman complained this was the fourth year tuition is rising by 15 percent.

"It's been a total of a 60 percent increase, and students haven't seen a 60 percent increase in quality," Huffman said.

Trustee Jeffrey Feingold said he would rather FAU eliminate more positions and require all employees to take a pay cut than to make students pay more.

"This is a 15 percent tax on students at a time when the average student debt at this university is $22,000," he said.

FAU President Mary Jane Saunders said the university has added new buildings, hired more advisers and created more internship opportunities for students.

"I would argue even with the decrease, we've increased the value to students over the years," she said.

stravis@tribune.com or 561-243-6637