Tuition hikes risk limiting access to higher ed

The rising cost of tuition at Kansas’ public universities hasn’t drawn much criticism. But was the Kansas Board of Regents’ latest hike one too many? It means in-state undergrads will pay between 4.6 percent and 16.7 percent more this fall — 15 class hours at Wichita State University will cost $2,258, up from $1,204 a decade ago. As our editorial Monday noted, “state funding of universities is now at 29 percent of their budgets, compared with 48 percent in 1991. Without much accountability, lawmakers have slowly but surely shifted more of the burden of funding the operation of these crucial state assets to students and private donors. And how long will the ‘it’s a bargain’ approach work?”
Posted by Rhonda Holman

10 Comments

  1. Ed Mookie Johnson
    Posted June 27, 2006 at 6:16 am | Permalink

    I thought that the Taxpayers Bill of Rights caused tuition increases.

    Obviously not!

  2. Joe Williams
    Posted June 27, 2006 at 10:26 am | Permalink

    K-12 is the priority for politicans. Lowering tution at Universities isn’t a political issue nor will it gain you votes.

    It will be sidelined.

  3. TRACY
    Posted June 27, 2006 at 10:30 am | Permalink

    Gee, and all this time I thought that tuition costs were directly proportional to actual operating costs. Silly me.

  4. RD
    Posted June 27, 2006 at 1:05 pm | Permalink

    Just all part of the dumbing down of America.

  5. Marty Venick
    Posted June 27, 2006 at 3:36 pm | Permalink

    College is a choice. Why should those attending not pay the actual costs? And the point was made earlier that K-12 is chewing up the entire budget. Keep in mind K-12 will increase over $1 Billion in the next 2 years. Our budget for the entire state is only $5.5 M and $11.6M with federal funds included. Choices! And the court has said it goes to K-12.

  6. sotheysaid
    Posted June 27, 2006 at 4:26 pm | Permalink

    Good information Marty. People have to decide what they want and as we all know just because we want it does not mean that we get it. You have to be able to pay for the things you want. So if you want college you will be held at gunpoint to pay higher tuition by the board of regents just because they can.

    If you don’t like it then start calling them and let them know how you feel.

  7. Joe Williams
    Posted June 27, 2006 at 9:42 pm | Permalink

    Marty! You mean replace M with a B.

  8. Marty Venick
    Posted June 28, 2006 at 12:02 pm | Permalink

    Thanks Joe, you are correct, it’s billion not million. Sorry about that!

  9. Shocker'07
    Posted June 28, 2006 at 3:25 pm | Permalink

    Good idea. Let’s not invest in the future leaders of our country. Nevermind that our kids are less intelligent than those in Asia and continually losing ground. Instead, no one should pay taxes. That will make our country great!! More money for everyone to spend on bassboats and Elvis collector plates. Go America!! Go Kansas!!

  10. Marty Venick
    Posted June 29, 2006 at 11:49 pm | Permalink

    Come on Shocker. No one said anything about no taxes. But there does have to be a limit. If it does not stop at some point why get a degree and pursue a goode job? Do you think that 50 cents on the dollar earned is good tax policy? We have income levels that require that tax!