THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 19, 1995 TAG: 9511170014
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) has unanimously recommended to the General Assembly that four-year tuition contracts be established, starting in the 1996-97 academic year, at all senior public colleges and universities.
The concept of tuition contracts was advanced by Governor Allen's administration and SCHEV staff to ensure stability in higher education costs for all qualified students, helping students and their families plan for educational costs.
Here's how it would work: Colleges and universities would set their tuition and fee rates annually for entering students. Once the rate is established, contracts would guarantee that they would not increase beyond the rate of inflation for the next four years. Students who enter the following year may start with a different rate, but once established, it would not increase beyond the rate of inflation for the next four years.
Simultaneously, as part of their restructuring efforts, colleges and universities are evaluating the number of hours necessary to graduate and are shifting more resources to teaching. Coupling the four-year contracts with restructuring will ensure that more students can afford and complete their courses of study at Virginia's colleges and universities.
Governor Allen has stated that he will recommend significant increases in appropriations to education in this year's budget. The recommendation from Governor Allen to increase spending on higher education, coupled with this tuition-contract program and the prepaid-tuition plan previously approved by the General Assembly will provide a true benefit to all of Virginia's students. If approved by the General Assembly, Virginian's will have in place a plan to allow saving for college at locked-in rates for the long term and certainly about tuition increases in the short term.
VAL S. McWHORTER, chairman
State Council
BEVERLY H. SGRO
Secretary of education
Commonwealth of Virginia
Richmond, Nov. 9, 1995 by CNB