HIGHER EDUCATION Governor issues warning about raising tuition

A spokesman said YSU officials are committed to keeping tuition low.
STAFF/WIRE REPORTS
COLUMBUS -- Gov. Bob Taft is warning Ohio's public colleges and universities to think twice about raising tuition.
Taft, a Republican, cautioned in a letter Tuesday to all higher education institutions receiving state money that their actions could influence funding decisions he'll make on the next two-year budget.
"I do not want to raise any false expectations about the next budget," Taft said. "However, I believe you and your board should be aware of the potential impact that tuition decisions may have on policy-makers in Columbus."
YSU
Ron Cole, manager of news and information services at Youngstown State University, said YSU President Dr. David Sweet had received the governor's letter.
"We are in the process of examining the possible ramifications. YSU's tuition is the lowest in the state, and we are committed to keeping it as affordable as possible," Cole said.
Owens Community College trustees postponed a decision Tuesday to raise tuition by 9 percent because of the letter and after Taft called President Christa Adams.
"In respect to the governor and his position, we're going to defer," said trustee chairman Jack Sculfort. "But we can't defer indefinitely."
Taft, who supported tuition caps in the current two-year budget, said tuition must be kept as affordable as possible if state goals of increasing college enrollment to help boost the economy are to be met.
Taft has warned repeatedly that the upcoming budget will be tight because of the economy and the growing bite that Medicaid, the state program for poor families and children, takes out of state revenues.
Sculfort said Wednesday the letter clearly implies colleges like his could see reductions in funding if they raise tuition against the governor's wishes.
Taft's office said the letter will speak for itself.
"Just as our state budget is tight and budgets at colleges and universities are tight, the governor knows budgets in Ohio's homes are tight as well," said Taft spokesman Orest Holubec. "He wants to ensure that kids who want to go to college have access to college and tuition plays a role in that."
In April, Taft's Commission on Higher Education and the Economy called for the two- and four-year institutions to increase enrollment by 30 percent over the next decade while finding ways to turn scientific research into marketable products and services.
Tuition increases hamper efforts to boost enrollment, so the plan called for a "compact" in which the schools cut their per-student costs for instruction, technology and campuses. If they meet those goals, the Legislature would pledge to increase state funding.