PRESQUE ISLE - University of Maine System trustees open a two-day meeting Sunday to set tuition rates and campus fees for the next academic year.

UMS Chancellor Richard Pattenaude said the university system has made efforts over the past two years to cut costs and improve efficiency and that the new budget he will present to trustees will reflect significant cuts and savings.

But he also said the system must address major increases in the cost of fuel, utilities, food and other expenses affecting the operation of the universities and their 45,000 students.

State funding constitutes roughly half of the UMS general operating budget, with student tuition and fees making up the other half.

Trustees also will consider approval of a bachelor's degree in nursing at the University of Maine at Augusta.