Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 26, 1993 TAG: 9308260105
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
The Republican announced his plan at Virginia Commonwealth University, which he said has raised tuition 48 percent over the last four years.
The average increase for state-supported colleges during that time, Allen said, is "a painful 50 percent."
"Virginia's colleges and universities are among the finest in the nation, but our soaring tuition rates are threatening to make higher education a luxury beyond the means of more and more Virginia families," he said at a news conference.
His Democratic opponent, Mary Sue Terry, also has said she would try to limit tuition increases. She said she would meet with college presidents to discuss curbing operating costs at their schools.
"We've got to do more with less. We can no longer afford to spend 30 cents of every dollar on administrative costs," she said Wednesday.
Allen said tuition rates for Virginia colleges and universities that do not grant doctoral degrees are the second-highest in the nation. The average cost, including tuition, room and board and fees, is $8,100, he said.
The former congressman criticized Gov. Douglas Wilder for "driving up tuition costs to pay for other spending priorities."
Wilder spokesman Glenn Davidson said the colleges took a reduction in state aid, but most chose to make up for it by raising tuition instead of cutting programs.
"George Allen's criticism is misdirected," he said, adding that Wilder has proposed that colleges be forced next year to become more efficient.
Allen also proposed increasing tuition rates for out-of-state students to cover their share of new campus buildings; rewarding colleges that reduce overhead; and encouraging community colleges to offer a two-year curriculum that would be fully transferable to a four-year college.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB