Frozen tuitions at state universities may soon thaw due to the budget plan approved by the State Board of Higher Education on Friday.
The Oregon University System’s budget of approximately $1.75 billion, which seeks $240.9 million in additional state support, may signify an annual undergraduate tuition increase of 2.5 percent per year for each in-state student in the 2001-03 biennium. Non-resident and graduate students will face an immediate tuition increase of approximately 5.5 percent for the 2000-01 academic year.
“As far as I know it is an inflationary increase,” ASUO President Jay Breslow said, a situation which he finds acceptable. If the increase proves to exceed inflationary figures, however, he said the ASUO will be working with the Oregon Student Association on behalf of student interests.
All along, OUS officials have expected additional funding to come from elsewhere.
“At this point, it is a built-in assumption that the budget would be financed by additional state monies and an increase in tuition,” said Bob Bruce, assistant to the vice chancellor for communications with the OUS. “This is early in the process. That could change.”
Final budgetary decisions for the 2001-03 biennium won’t be available until this time next year, Bruce said.
He assured that for the 2000-01 fiscal portion of the biennium, the 1996 tuition freeze would remain in effect with any in-state undergraduate increases in tuition beginning in 2002-03.
Portland State University student and state board member Tim Young explained that since 1990 tuition in Oregon has risen by 80 percent, which led to the implementation of tuition freezes throughout the state.
“In conversations I’ve been a part of it appears unlikely that students will be organizing around another tuition freeze,” he said. “In my humble opinion it’s been great PR for the Oregon Legislature, and I wouldn’t be unhappy to see that continue, but there are other battles to be fought.”
OSA Communications Director John Wykoff indicated that this recent turn of events comes as no surprise.
“It will be our goal in the legislature to help pass the OUS budget to assure that the tuition increase isn’t any higher. We’re cautious about it, but our board likely won’t be opposing an increase that is inflationary like this.”
From the State Board, the budget proceeds to the governor’s office and then to the 2000 Oregon Legislature for further consideration and approval.
Tuition increase likely for Oregon undergraduates
Daily Emerald
July 24, 2000
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