Officials from the Connecticut State University System and the University of Connecticut rattled off statistics Thursday, trying to show that the college tuition increases for the 2010-2011 school year are warranted.
They spoke about enrollment, the impact of the state’s early retirement incentive and about the complicated tuition process.
In their testimonies before the legislature’s higher education and workforce advancement committee, university officials said they oppose a bill that would require university boards of trustees to report to the higher education committee before voting on any tuition changes. It would also allow committee members to comment on any proposed changes.
Both David Carter, chancellor of the Connecticut State University System, and Peter Nichols, UConn’s provost and executive vice present for academic affairs, said lawmakers do not need to require universities to appear before the committee about tuition issues through legislation. All the committee has to do is ask for information, they said.
Sen. Mary Ann Handley, D-Manchester, says the bill would not give lawmakers the power to make or change a decision regarding tuition. It would just give lawmakers a chance to understand a decision made by a board of trustees better — and before it is reported in the media, she said.
“I think folks have misunderstood what we’re trying to do here,” Handley said.
The idea for the bill came after the UConn board of trustees decided last month to increase tuition, fees, room and board for in-state students by 5.9 percent, or $1,180, for the next academic year, Handley. Out-of-state students will see a total increase of 5.78 percent, or $2,044.
“I knew nothing about it,” said Handley, who co-chairs the higher education committee, adding she was getting questions from many people about the tuition hike, but she did not have the answers.
Students attending the other state universities, such as Southern Connecticut State University, will see a total 6.3 percent increase next school year.