SALEM (AP) - Gov. Ted Kulongoski plans to veto a last-minute cut the Oregon Legislature made in the higher education budget.

That means tuition will go up on campuses next year, but not as much as it might have.

On the last day of its recent session, the Legislature approved an $11 million cut.

A top aide to the governor informed the State Board of Higher Education on Friday of Kulongoski's intention.

"He's hoping this will enable you to help keep the cost of higher education in Oregon affordable and help maintain the quality of the higher education system," said Tim Nesbitt, deputy chief of staff.

The board approved tuition increases that will average 8 percent for the three large campuses and 5 percent for regional schools. Western Oregon University won't increase tuition for students in a plan that keeps it steady for their first four years.

Dozens of students from around the state attended the commission meeting to protest higher tuition increases.

"We would like to express our gratitude to the governor," said Jonathan Sanford, Portland State University student body president.

A veto would still leave the higher education system budget at 10 percent less than the current biennium and 13 percent less than officials estimate is needed to maintain current programs.

Students still can expect larger class sizes and fewer course offerings when they return this fall, said George Pernsteiner, chancellor of the system.

Also Friday, the board accepted an offer by the seven university presidents to cut their salaries by 4.6 percent for the 2009-10 school year.