Harvard's tuition will increase for the 1999-2000 school year, rising by 3.3 percent to $32,164, which includes room and board. The percentage increase is the smallest it has been since 1968, besting last year's 3.5 percent rise.

This is the eighth year in a row the rate of tuition growth has diminished. In the last 20 years the average rate of increase has hovered around 8 percent.

Dean of the Faculty Jeremy R. Knowles yesterday emphasized the College's continued commitment to meeting the financial needs of accepted students.

"The vitality of our institution--as well as the quality of our students--requires that Harvard be affordable for families of all income levels," Knowles wrote in a statement.

"We are absolutely committed to need-blind admissions, and to constraining our costs, now and in the future," he wrote.

In September, Knowles announced a $9 million increase in the College's financial aid budget, which resulted in an additional $2000 for each student receiving financial aid. In December it was announced the University would also increase the payout from its more than $12 billion dollar endowment by 28 percent.

Meanwhile the University has announced several multi-million dollar initiatives, including replacing the tower on Memorial Hall at $4 million and a $200 million commitment to two science centers.

Financial aid officials reiterated their commitment to meeting the needs of students, acknowledging that any increase in the cost of tuition affects the number who apply for aid and the amount of need students have.

"In my 18 years here, Harvard has found the money to make packages that will ensure that students will choose to attend Harvard," said Associate Director of Financial Aid David P. Illingworth '71.

He also emphasized that the yields-- the number of accepted students who choose toattend--of students who receive financial aid andthose who do not are almost equal.

The College's increase compares favorably withpeer institutions, although it is higher than thecurrent rate of inflation.

Princeton University has announced a 3.4percent increase in its tuition and fees for nextyear, bringing their total costs--including"miscellaneous expenses"--to $34,180.

Similarly, Stanford University has approved a3.5 percent increase in the cost of tuition, roomand board, bringing their total to $30,934.

Like Harvard, Stanford and many Ivy Leagueschools have revamped their financial aid policiesin the last year in an attempt to reduce thefinancial burden that a college education placeson middle-income families. Brown Universityfollowed with its own plan last week.

Knowles downplayed the significance of thisyear's increase, pointing out that the "actualcost of a Harvard education is close to $48,000 ayear."

According to Illingworth, the continued tuitionincrease has not kept prospective students fromconsidering Harvard.