Maryland is in a bit of a different scenario because the Governor has made it a priority of his administration to increase affordability in higher education through tuition freezes. In-state, undergradautes attending 4-year colleges have enjoyed three straight years of tuition freezes. The Governor has vowed to do it once again, but will be challenged by the legislature. The Governor will likely ask for an increase of $25 to $30 million for higher education alone. A tuition freeze alone costs approximately $16 million.
Senate President Mike Miller has already spoken out against the idea of a tuition freeze, in light of proposed state layoffs possibly extending to1000 employees. Speaker of the House Mike Busch has floated the idea if differentiated tuition increases, particularly at UMCP.
The Governor recognizes the great need to maintain the cost of college for Maryland residents--it's one of the drivers of our state's economy and its a short-term investment that helps us retain Maryland citizens who might relocate if they attend college elsewhere. But, what cannot happen is that quality bottoms out at our institutions through decreased state revenue support not offset by any tuition increase at all. In other words, higher education and Maryland future cannot get caught in the middle of politics.
For the national picture, check out this article.
Coming weeks and months will be telling. What are your thoughts on a tuition freeze? Increasing funding for higher education while laying off state workers?
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