Every year, the Arizona Board of Regents holds hearings and meetings, churns out facts and figures, creates loads of paperwork and talks continuously about various issues - all to determine tuition rate increases for the three state universities.

Yesterday, the regents considered eliminating that process by implementing an indexed tuition system.

"I don't know that there is a perfect way of setting tuition," said Regent Hank Amos at yesterday's meeting in the Student Union. "But I think indexing is the way to go."

Every year the regents begin talking about a tuition increase after the state legislature approves the universities' budgets. Tuition increases are approved by the regents in April.

From the 1991-92 to 1994-95 school years, registration and tuition fees increased at an average of $93.20 annually for residents and $390.00 for non-residents according to the UA Office of Institutional Research Fact Book.

Tuition indexing, as Amos proposes, would tie the annual tuition increase to factors such as the consumer price index, cost of living, cost of education and the rate of inflation. According to Amos' proposal, the tuition increase would be based on a 3, 4 or 5 percent inflation rate. The increases would average $107 to $201 per year for residents and $321 to $558 for non-residents. New money thus generated into the university system could average $9 million to $16 million per year.

Indexing, Amos said, would still keep the cost of attending Arizona's universities low and students would know what the annual increase would be long before the April hearings. Indexing would also bring in additional funds for the schools.

"He's convinced me there is some merit to this," said Regent John Munger. "It's something we ought to look at."

Associated Students President Ben Driggs said, "I think students will like knowing what their increases will be, but I do have some concerns with the proposal."

Driggs said he is an advocate of indexing, but he felt the board should continue to hash out the details before settling on one process or another.

Regent Judy Gignac also said the board should spend more time discussing the issue. She said the high level of predictability would carry a severe political influence.

A predictable tuition increase might lower the amount of money the legislature gives the universities.

Besides, Gignac said, the numbers outlined in the proposal are "too high."

"The impact on the student will be more than I can support," she said. "I see this as a major problem."

Amos said because Arizona's tuition is so low to begin with, any increase will be viewed as drastic. He said this proposal will provide for better university facilities, pay faculty better salaries to keep them from accepting better offers elsewhere, and increase financial aid opportunities for students who qualify.

Board President Eddie Basha said any increase will have a profound effect.

"A $100 increase will hurt like hell," he said.

Basha said he would like to hear opinions from students and parents concerning any increase in tuition.

Driggs said he did not anticipate indexing going into effect in next fall's increase. He said he could foresee indexing implemented the year after next.