Truth in Tuition Hearing
A truth in tuition hearing addressing possible budget scenarios was held March 3.
State law requires colleges and universities to hold “Truth in Tuition” hearings if they will be proposing increases in second tier tuition.
Because the state legislature has already reduced CEU’s base budget by 17 percent for the 2010-2011 academic year, CEU proposes to raise 2nd tier tuition between six and eight percent.
This archived article was written by: Ryan Ware
A truth in tuition hearing addressing possible budget scenarios was held March 3.
State law requires colleges and universities to hold “Truth in Tuition” hearings if they will be proposing increases in second tier tuition.
Because the state legislature has already reduced CEU’s base budget by 17 percent for the 2010-2011 academic year, CEU proposes to raise 2nd tier tuition between six and eight percent.
Three cuts have been proposed by the legislature. A 17 percent cut, which has already been implement in 2009; a 19 percent cut, which would require an additional $1.8 million in cuts; and a 22 percent cut has also been proposed, this would require an additional $2.2 million in cuts.
The first tier tuition rates are standard for all colleges and universities in the state. This covers statewide services, such as Blackboard. The increases proposed for tier one tuition ranges from 0.2 percent to two percent.
The budget deficits created by the budget reduction in the legislature can only be partially solved with tuition hikes.
A 17 percent budget cut with a six percent hike would solve less than 10 percent of the problem. At a 19 percent cut, would only bridge seven percent of the gap. A 22 percent cut with 6 percent tuition hike would only help solve five percent of the budget problem.
This situation only worsens at higher budget reductions.
Tuition revenue for 2009-2010 at CEU was $3.527 million. 2010-2011 enrollment is expected to remain the same as 2009-2010.
The proposed second tier tuition cost raise will only raise tuition from $62 to an additional $83 for a resident and $124 to $166 for non-residents per semester.
Revenue generated from the hikes will be used to replace state dollars. This will reduce impacts to campus programs, faculty and staff.
