As an incentive to increase enrollment, this year’s summer school classes will be cheaper for resident undergraduates at all University of Hawaii campuses except Manoa.

The UH Board of Regents approved the reduction Thursday at its monthly meeting.

The board reduced its per-credit-hour tuition rates at all community colleges, UH-Hilo and UH-West Oahu to $248. That’s down from $317 for the community colleges and $350 for Hilo and West Oahu.

UH-Manoa remains at $350.

In 2011 the university similarly reduced tuition rates, resulting in a 2 percent increase in resident undergraduates after a two-year decline.

Except at UH-Manoa, every campus has been charging more for summer classes than their regular fall and spring semester classes.

"Summer school is self-supporting, and UH-Manoa’s costs are higher than the other nine campuses," said Linda Johnsrud, UH executive vice president for academic affairs and provost. "UH-Manoa’s summer undergraduate tuition has been set at the resident undergraduate rate for years and will continue to be."

"This move makes courses more affordable to their communities at the other nine campuses, as part of our efforts to assist students with completion of their degrees," she said.

UH aims to see a 25 percent increase in enrollment by 2015.

The board also gave the UH president the authority to set summer tuition rates on an annual basis going forward. This will allow the administration the discretion to adjust rates annually to encourage more students to attend the summer session, while providing campuses with enough tuition revenue to cover instructional costs.