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Tuition-setting bills generate testimony in state hearings

By Nikie Johnson
Senior Staff Writer

A measure that would change how much tuition college students pay met much resistance Monday in the Texas Legislature.

A bill being considered by the House Higher Education Committee would allow universities to charge whatever they want for tuition, but would make the universities cover any costs above 5 percent of a studentis familyis income.

Dozens of students from the University of Texas, Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University attended the hearing to voice their opposition to the bill, which was written by Rep. Geanie Morrison, the committeeis chairwoman.

The lone UH voice, also opposing the bill, was Vice President for Planning and University Outreach Edward Hugetz. He talked about tradeoffs that must be made in times of financial strain.

"Although affordability is definitely one of the things we have to ask about, there are other things that have to be there," Hugetz said. "We must be able to provide sufficient resources."

He spoke about the improvements UH has made in the last few years, as well as the non-traditional student body. UH officials have been saying all semester that they hope to preserve the quality of education and the amount of financial aid offered at UH, and that higher tuition may be necessary to do so.

Although Hugetzis concerns were about how universities would bear the burden of this bill, every student who testified also opposed the bill. Most students who spoke out were from UT, and most of them cited an opposition to tuition deregulation in their speeches.

The UT administration was supportive of total tuition deregulation, but no such bill was introduced. Although the 5 percent bill would allow universities to set their own tuition, it would not totally deregulate the process. (See graphic for details.)

Most of the UT students said they felt their Board of Regents should not be allowed to set tuition because it is out of touch with students. Many also told the lawmakers of a recent referendum at UT in which thousands of students opposed deregulation. One student said he talked to people from groups running the gamut of political viewpoints and "not one person told me they supported this bill."

An A&M student proposed lawmakers change the bill to require a referendum before regents could raise tuition more than the inflation rate. If the students voted against an increase, he suggested, the matter should go to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, which oversees all state university matters. 

Graduate students also spoke out against the bill because the 5 percent rule would not protect them or out-of-state students. The billis author justified that clause by saying students pursuing an advanced degree could expect to earn more and thus could afford more student loans. One graduate English student said that is not always the case, and that if tuition were deregulated she would be forced to drop out of school.

The tuition bill will remain in committee for further discussion.

Another bill that saw much support from the public is one that would allow universities to keep all of the research money they get in grants.

When a grant is given, some of the money goes to what is called "indirect costs" -- paying for utilities and lab equipment and such. In Texas, half of that indirect cost money must be given to the state. The people who testified in support of the bill said the system undermines Texas universitiesi ability to get grants.

The bill, also written by Rep. Morrison, would abolish this practice. The committee voted to recommend it to the full House.

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