A new proposal by Gov. Jeb Bush, R-Florida, could increase tuition at all Florida higher institutions if passed by the state’s legislature.

Bush included the proposal in his appropriations bill that involves universities adopting a “block tuition” plan. With this plan, students would be charged for the equivalent of 15 credit hours each semester, no matter if they complete more or less than 15 credits. The proposal is aimed at encouraging students to graduate in four years.

“We’re seeing more students nationwide becoming five year students rather than the typical four years,” Gov. Bush’s spokesperson Mackay Jimeson said. “That limits spaces for incoming students.”

According to a press release from the Governor’s office, the majority of Florida’s college students take 12 to 13 credit hours per semester. The proposed plan would force students to take one additional course per semester.

“Students who take 15 credit hours per term will be able to graduate in four years (instead of five or six) reducing the amount time and money spent on living costs by a year or more,” the press release said. “Items like rent, food, utilities transportation, etc. make up the largest portions of the cost to attend school.”

The Faculty Senate at the University of Florida passed a resolution last week opposing the proposal. The resolution addresses the possible downsides to the block tuition plan, including making it hard for students to afford the tuition. The plan would also make double majoring or earning a certificate more difficult if the curriculum requires students to take more classes to earn 120 credits for graduation.

According to the press release, the advantages of the plan include encouraging students to graduate in “a more timely manner,” and as a whole, students and parents would end up paying less. The press release also said Florida’s financial aid and prepaid tuition programs would be utilized more efficiently with the plan.

According to the University of Wisconsin’s Faculty Senate Press Secretary Paul Musolf, block tuition is not on the radar for Wisconsin institutions.

“It hasn’t been a topic of discussion for Wisconsin. This is the first time I’ve heard of it,” Musolf said.

Attitudes among UW students on block tuition differ, who see both the positives and negatives of the issue.

UW sophomore Ted Salzman is suspicious of the underlying motivations of Governor Bush’s proposal.

“I think they are hiding another tuition increase under the name of ‘block tuition,'” Salzman said.

UW sophomore Emily Palmer considered the opposing viewpoint, pointing out block tuition would allow students to complete their major in four years.

“It’s not necessarily a bad thing,” Palmer said.