Reagan to Speak for Free--but Tab for Jet Is $22,000

If Ronald Reagan travels to Austin to address University of Texas students this spring, he won’t be needing a super-saver fare.

Efforts by the UT-Austin Texas Union lecturers committee to bring the former President to campus may hinge on whether someone--Republican or Democrat--has a private jet big enough to fly Reagan in the style to which he has become accustomed.

The committee has invited Reagan to address students as early as May, or perhaps next fall.

Reagan’s press secretary, Mark Weinberg, said his boss “would like to visit Austin at the earliest opportunity” when his schedule permits.

And while Reagan does not accept fees for speaking at colleges or before charitable groups, he does want a chartered jet to transport him to and from engagements .

“We called around and found that it would cost about $22,000 to fly him here and back to California,” said Kerry O’Brien, a junior who is chairwoman of the speakers group.

UT President William Cunningham “indicated that he would try to find some alumni who could furnish a plane once we set a firm date for his appearance,” she said.