Up now in the Senate: The bill to give more tuition setting authority to universities

The Senate Ways & Means Committee is live on TVW now. They’re discussing the bill to allow the UW, WSU and Western to set their own tuition, so long as it didn’t exceed 14 percent in any one year or 9 percent compounded over 15 years.

Tune in now or check back here for updates on the testimony.

Under the proposal, Guaranteed Education Tuition credits would increase in cost, meaning fewer people would buy them, according to the state actuary.

Mark Emmert, president of UW, is now speaking. He said the schools are trying to figure out the best, most efficient and most fair way to charge tuition. “Overall (this is) a bill that we find supportive,” he said, though there are areas they would like to “discuss further.”

“We think it provides the appropriate limits” for setting tuition, said Elson Floyd, president of WSU. He kept his comments brief.

Charlie Earl, director of the board of community and technical colleges, said they support the bill. Why? Universities have to be affordable and accessible in order for students from community and technical colleges to be able to transfer in. “Robust financial aid needs to be continued … and (that is ) necessary to make this tuition proposal work well.”

Sam Shaddox, a student lobbyist:  “Anytime we have a supposed ceiling on tuition increases,” he said, it eventually becomes “the basement.” He said WSU and WSA — the Washington Student Association — are against the bill.

Peter Sterr, a student lobbyist with WSU Vancouver, said the 9 percent tuition cap over 15 years could double tuition within the decade. He said the increase is so far above inflation, it will quickly leave middle-class students in the dust.

That hearing is now over. Sen. Margarita Prentice noted that it took 55 minutes — and it’s one of 27 bills on their public hearing schedule today. Up now: Education reform.

Tags: tuition