Florida college students could see higher tuition under a plan approved Wednesday by a panel of state senators who say the tuition increases are necessary to offset state budget cuts to the university system.
Florida colleges have long boasted the lowest tuition in the nation, but lately, university leaders have argued that they cannot continue to provide the same level of service with shrinking funds provided by the state. State University System officials have cautioned lawmakers that layoffs, fewer and bigger classes, and no more student support services are definite possibilities if they cannot raise more money.
“We have been getting by on the cheap for so many years that it’s become kind of a mindset,” said Sen. Steve Oelrich, R-Cross Creek, who chairs the Senate Higher Education Committee.
The measure, sponsored by Sen. Ken Pruitt, R- Port St. Lucie, would allow individual universities to raise tuition by up to 15 percent for this coming year, and then by another 15 percent and 10 percent the following two years, so that it reaches the national average. According to the Legislature’s staff analysis, the average national tuition rate for 2007-2008 was $5,390.
Pruitt, who has long championed low college costs for Florida, said sponsoring a measure to raise tuition was “bittersweet” for him, but added that the Legislature must consider it so that universities can keep up with the costs of providing higher education.
“This is tough…I don’t deem raising tuition as the mark of success,” Pruitt said.
The Senate committee’s decision came as Quinnipiac University released a new poll stating that 78 percent of Florida voters oppose the tuition increase plan.
Five universities can currently set their tuition rates, but this measure would allow the remaining six to do so. University of North Florida President John Delaney, who is also serving as the part-time head of the state university system, said that most schools would likely raise their tuition rates if the Legislature approves the plan, but that they may not raise it by a full 15 percent.
The current cost for the six universities that are not allowed to set differential tuition is $82.03 per credit hour, which was approved by the Legislature. Delaney said that the total cost of attending a Florida university would probably go up by about $400 on average, which he said was “minimal.”
“But it’s going to have a big impact on the quality of education students get,” Delaney said.
Pruitt said he does worry that the potential tuition increases could leave some students behind. Lawmakers may also examine changes to the Bright Futures scholarship program that provides full or partial tuition and fee reimbursement to the state’s highest achieving students.
If the tuition plan passes and the Bright Futures scholarship program remains unchanged, the scholarship will no longer cover 100 percent of all tuition costs, according to staff analysis of the proposal.
The House’s Higher Education Committee heard a list of possible suggestions to change the program Tuesday and Pruitt said he will be introducing a measure that would slightly alter the program. However, he did not elaborate on what changes he will propose and declined to take questions following the meeting.
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