Monday, April 19, 2004
COLUMBUS (AP) -- Rising teacher salaries coupled with shrinking state funding are behind soaring tuition rates at Ohio's public universities, officials say.
So far this year, the University of Cincinnati and Central State University have approved increases of 9.9 percent -- the maximum allowed under state law -- while the University of Toledo, Cleveland State and Shawnee State have proposed doing so.
Miami University approved an increase of 8.5 percent, and Youngstown State, an 8 percent increase. Ohio University trustees released a proposed 9 percent rise Friday.
James Plummer, Cincinnati's associate vice president for finance, said increases are unavoidable as staff salaries and benefits rise at the same time that state funding shrinks.
"For the first time ever, students paid more for the cost of their education than the state was paying us," he said.
Shawnee State President Rita Rice Morris said revenue from a growing student body isn't enough to pay for the additional staff members that are needed, financial aid and improved technology.
Ohio State University is among five public universities that expect to discuss tuition increases by mid-May.