With Ohio’s current economy regarded as the most uncertain to date, almost all state universities are yielding to the same fate – skyrocketing tuition rises.
As a result, keeping a stable tuition at all Ohio public universities has been one of the biggest issues each school has faced within its economic plan.
However, in order to avoid a tuition cap expected to be in this July’s state budget, many of the schools’ increases are to go into effect this summer.
The proposed tuition cap would limit increases to 6 percent for the 2004 and 2005 fiscal years, with the exception for Ohio State, which will be allowed to impose a 9 percent increase.
OSU spokeswomen Elizabeth Conlisk said the reason for the exception is due to past trends in OSU’s tuition.
“I think there is a recognition that OSU has chronically been under funded. That as the state’s flagship institution, we remain at eighth on the list of 13 public universities in the state of Ohio in terms of tuition,” Conlisk said. “That is something that (Gov. Bob) Taft and the legislature has been very understanding – that our tuition for many years has been artificially low.”
Of the 13 public universities within the state, six have planned or already passed increases of 9 percent or more. Cleveland State University, Miami University, Ohio University, the University of Akron and Youngstown State University have all passed increases by at least 9.5 percent.
Pending a finalized state budget, Bowling Green State University, Kent State University, Shawnee State University, the University of Cincinnati and the University of Toledo are all waiting to decide on increases.
Within OSU’s proposed 9 percent increase, an additional $300 a year will be added for new students.
“We made a commitment several years ago to not increase tuition to the undergraduate students who were here by more than nine-percent,” Conlisk said. “This plan would continue to follow in that we want to be as fair as possible to current undergraduate students that already made a decision to come here.”
If approved by the Board of Trustees today, OSU would have a three-tiered tuition rate starting this summer. Those who enrolled at OSU before summer quarter 2002 would pay $5,658; those who started this year would pay $6,203; and new students would pay $6,503.
In 2001, Taft lifted a 6 percent tuition cap. Since then, universities have had full jurisdiction to set an increase at what was deemed low enough to keep students enrolled, but could keep the school in running order.
However, a new bill was introduced on Jan. 28, that would re-instate the tuition cap back to its former level.
The bill’s sponsor, Senator Kevin Coughlin, R-Cuyahoga Falls, said he feels the value of higher education is most important.
“My view of a state university is that they are there to provide an affordable access to a public degree,” Coughlin said. “And if you take that opportunity away from the public, then to me it seems to completely nullify the mission.”
Under Senate Bill 16, a three-tier, flat tuition increase for all state-funded universities has been proposed, which would place tuition caps at a maximum dollar amount based on the cost set by each university.
“Without a tuition cap, the university automatically looks straight to raising costs,” Coughlin said. “With a cap on the amount they can raise, it forces them to look inward and to make necessary cuts within university itself.”
Conlisk said though OSU recently made an $11.2 million reduction, they are focusing a high priority towards financial support and the student experience.
“Part of this tuition increase will be directed towards financial aid for the students so that those that meet the academic requirements and are qualified can attend OSU,” she said.
However, Miami University recently dealt with the tuition issue in a different manner.
Last week, Miami’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved a new tuition plan in an attempt to attract more students by providing a multi-leveled pricing format.
Under the plan, in-state tuition will be raised 9.9 percent and out-of-state will be 10.9 percent for the upcoming school year. This will raise prices from $7,600 to $8,056 a year for those in state and from $16,324 to $18,103 for those from outside Ohio.
Though they are raising prices for both types of students, they are providing larger scholarship awards for Ohio residents and those from middle to lower class income levels.
Holly Wissing, spokesman for Miami, said she sees the tuition increases as a problem straight across the board.
“I think these are national trends, not just Ohio,” Wissing said. “Everyone nationwide is experiencing health care issues and also declines in state funding for higher education, so colleges and universities are at a quandary at how to go about settling these problems so it’s the best for everyone.”
