Many students may have thought the issue about caps and tuition had dug its own grave. Within the last month the controversial topic arose again in the Ohio House of Representatives.
Rep. Chris Redfern, D-Port Clinton, introduced a bill in the House that would reinstate 6 percent caps, or limitations, placed on tuition.
Each year the Board of Trustees sets the instruction and general fees students will pay annually.
There was an agreement between the trustees not to exceed a 6 percent tuition increase until summer 2001, when Ohio State President William "Brit" Kirwan asked the Board to allow him to increase tuition more than the cap allowed. The cap limit became ineffective July 1, 2001.
With the recent budget cuts, the Board had to break the agreement. Gov. Bob Taft had been upset by the increase and was thinking about placing the caps on tuition for good.
After much discussion, the issue had seemed to be resolved.
Under the new bill, the cap would not change the tuition increases that will occur for the next academic year.
During the sponsor testimony for the bill in front of the education committee, Redfern said he is worried universities will use the extra flexibility to their own benefit and increase tuition to outrageous prices.
"I share concerns that you may have and that members of this General Assembly may have regarding the financial impact tuition caps have on institutions of higher learning," Redfern said.
However, the negative effects of not having tuition caps have already been made apparent," he said. "State universities have already begun raising tuition far beyond the previously implemented 6 percent cap."
The limit on tuition could take away from state spending on higher education, especially with the recent budget cuts that the state government had to face.
Sen. Tim Ryan, D-Niles, said it is not the time to place caps on universities. His focus is on state spending, not on placing tuition limits.
"We're almost last in the country for state spending in higher education," Ryan said. "OSU does not have the money to operate."
Ryan tried to offer an amendment to take out $100,000 from the state's rainy day fund for spending on higher education.
He said both his attempts were shot down by Republicans.
Ryan said another problem facing the budget is the income tax reduction fund where, on average, every family received about $40.
The money given back to the families added up to millions.
"If we had that $2-3 million we could have invested it in higher education," he said. "Who is paying for it now? The students? The middle class?"
The House's education committee is looking over Redfern's bill. The sponsor testimony was on March 19.
It doesn't seem there will be any other hearing for the bill, said John Stacy, the legislative aide for Rep. Jamie Callender, R-Willowick.
Callender is the chairman of the education committee.
"I don't mind the increase so much," said Ushani Lincoln, a senior in chemistry.
Some students are concerned about the high costs of education.
Francisco Maciel, a senior in finance, said the caps are a good idea.
"At least you know how much you're going to spend each year," Maciel said.
Attempts to reach Redfern, sponsor of the bill, were unsuccessful.
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