It sounded too good to be true earlier this year when student body President J.P. Benedict said he was on the verge of releasing a tuition proposal for next year.

That statement, which Benedict later recanted, came in September, about six months before the Arizona Board of Regents sets tuition, in March.

September would have been too early to release a proposal, but Benedict's latest decision to put off releasing a plan until February is disheartening. Though that's the normal time for students to unveil their proposal, it's too late if the students want their proposal to be seen as a serious possibility.

Until last year, the student proposals weren't serious. Two years ago, in the throes of a state budget crisis, the student lobbyists called for a zero percent hike. It was the most absurd, unrealistic option they could have chosen.

All that changed last year. Under Benedict's predecessor, Doug Hartz, the student proposal, which was well thought out and detailed, was seriously considered. He gave students the credibility that they had lacked.

But he made his proposal too late.

His plan for a $900 hike for in-state students and $1,450 hike for out-of-state students came after President Peter Likins made his proposal for a $1,000 in-state increase and a $1,250 out-of-state increase. It looked like a reaction, when it was actually a legitimate alternative.

As a student, Benedict is at a disadvantage against university presidents when it comes to experience. The regents will likely consider Likins' plan, whatever it is, more seriously than Benedict's.

Benedict can counter this shortfall by making his proposal earlier, which would make it the focal point of the discussion before Likins can come out with a number.

Today, student lobbyists will hold a focus group meant to gather student feedback on next year's tuition. Combined with the fact that they've already done some research into possible proposals, they're off to a good start.

But rather than waiting until a few weeks before tuition is set, Benedict should release a plan sometime in January, while there's still time for serious discussion.