OLIVIA GORDON, Reveille Radio News Reporter: Last week the Board of Regents passed the LA GRAD act. With this legislation, public universities in Louisiana, including the LSU system, can increase their tuition by ten percent every year for the next six years. In order to follow through with these increases, universities must meet so-called productivity goals. Vice Provost for Academics and Planning, Stacia Haney, describes what these goals include. HANEY: The first to second year retention rate, the first to third year retention rates, and graduation rates. In addition, the University has to set completer targets for the number of Masters, Bachelors and doctoral and professional students that the institution projects will graduate. GORDON: But with budget cuts already looming over the University, is it a realistic expectation for the school to meet these benchmarks? HANEY: The University has used its data and analysis we have available to try and reach realistic targets we believe can be met. But it’s a challenge we welcome. We want to ensure that our students have an exceptional educational experience when they come here.  GORDON: According to the Office of Budget and Planning website, the tuition increases are already in effect for the upcoming spring semester. In-state prices increased by nearly three hundred dollars and out-of-state tuition is up by more than a thousand. HANEY: We are well below the non-resident fee that we charge student attending LSU compared to any of our flagship peers. GORDON: And though students will be paying more, they will still have the opportunity to receive necessary financial aid. HANEY: We have not at all cut our need based aid. We also have the hardship waivers. GORDON: Specific GRAD act agreements and documents can be found at the Board of Regents website. Olivia Gordon, Reveille Radio News.