BUDGET DEBATE YSU tuition rates are in state's hands

Two years ago, YSU trustees were thwarted in their efforts to hold down tuition.
By RON COLE
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- All eyes now turn to Columbus.
Youngstown State University trustees approved new tuition rates on Friday that hold the line on costs for hundreds of students next academic year.
But, the tuition rates hinge on the state budget being debated in Columbus, and YSU officials caution that trustees may have to amend the tuition plan it just passed.
"I might be back here in June with a whole new set of numbers," Dr. G.L. Mears, YSU executive vice president, said after Friday's trustees' meeting.
Thanks to a proposed large increase in state funding, the tuition plan calls for a slight decrease for freshmen and associate degree students, but increases for all other students.
Part of goal: The new rates, unveiled last week by President David Sweet, are part of YSU's goal to attract new students to campus and turn around chronically declining enrollment.
But Sweet told trustees that much has happened with the state budget in the past week that could jeopardize the tuition rates.
House lawmakers on Monday proposed a funding plan for elementary and secondary education that requires an additional $2.2 billion out of the state's two-year budget.
The plan has garnered widespread support from education groups across Ohio and could resolve a decade-long court battle over school-funding in the state.
Sweet said the funding plan does not identify any new revenues to cover the increase. So, if the proposal passes, lawmakers must find the difference elsewhere.
"Frankly, I am concerned that higher education may become a victim of robbing Peter to pay Paul," he told trustees.
"If that happens, all bets are off, and the tuition increase you are passing today will have to be revisited. .. .I think we should keep our fingers crossed."
The state budget must be approved by July 1. Mears said YSU couldn't wait that long to set the rates. YSU students will soon begin registering for summer classes and must have an idea of what tuition will be, he said.
What happened before: The last time YSU trustees tried to hold down tuition, the state budget came back to bite them. Two years ago, trustees agreed to a two-year tuition freeze for freshmen and sophomores but backed off the promise in the second year and increased tuition instead when funding was less than projected.
Under the plan approved Friday, tuition would go up an average of 3 percent. Last year, trustees increased tuition 5 percent. The highest amount allowed by the state is 6 percent.
Sweet wants YSU to increase enrollment by 5 percent this fall. The number of YSU students has dropped in 10 of the last 11 years and has increased by 5 percent or more only twice in the last 33 years.