Tuition at some campuses in the University of Texas System is expected to jump again this fall as the universities face a mix of economic pressures, from historic declines in endowments to possible state budget cuts.

UT-Austin, UT-Arlington and UT-Dallas are proposing a 3.95 percent tuition increase in each of the next two years. Campus leaders say they also are searching for other ways to raise and save money.

If the UT System raises tuition, it's a sign other Texas colleges may follow suit.

"I think we're all facing the same challenges, which is the impact of the recession finally hitting Texas," UTA President Jim Spaniolo said Friday.

"And I think each institution has to deal with it in the way that makes the most sense for them."

The budget realities were discussed at the UT System board of regents meeting held Thursday and Friday in Dallas. The conversation comes after a national report revealed the worst drops in private giving in 50 years. Last month, another report showed the economy has battered college endowments, which had their worst losses in decades. But college officials say losses in state funding could deliver a bigger blow.

At UTA and UTD, that has meant not filling some new or vacant staff positions. They also are sharing some services, such as a complex student tracking system, to cut costs.

And at UT-Austin, it has meant staff layoffs and a proposal to close the Cactus Café, a legendary campus music venue.

Spaniolo and UTD President David Daniel said they have not had to resort to layoffs at their campuses. They also said the belt-tightening will not prevent their campuses from trying to become top-tier national research universities.

UT System regents are expected decide the final tuition prices in about a month.

Last year, the Texas House asked universities to cap their tuition increases at 3.95 percent, so other public universities could suggest the same increase.

Tuition and fees have climbed steadily at Texas public colleges since 2003, when the Legislature let campuses set their own rates. Lawmakers gave colleges that power because they were providing fewer dollars of state funding per student.

Over the years, campuses that used to receive the lion's share of their operating dollars from the state are receiving much less. At UT academic campuses, for instance, only 24 percent of the operating budget comes from state appropriations, on average.

Meanwhile, Gov. Rick Perry and other state leaders have asked state agencies, including public universities, to suggest ways of trimming 5 percent from the state-funded portion of their budgets. Agencies have until Feb. 15 to submit plans.

Raymund Paredes, the state's higher education commissioner, suggested Friday that universities could save money by ensuring students graduate from college in a timely manner. For instance, students who sign up for classes but later drop them cost the state about $175 million a year. But, he noted, that figure is down from $300 million.

"It shows what we can achieve when we place more emphasis on student retention and success," he said.