An editorial published Tuesday by The Seattle Times states the burden tuition increases have placed on Washington students and four-year institutions, and urges lawmakers to begin reinvesting in higher education now.
In exchange for increased funding, leaders from the state’s six public baccalaureate institutions have committed to freeze tuition rates for the first time since 1986, as outlined in a funding proposal by The Council of Presidents. The council is a voluntary Washington state association comprised of the presidents of the six public baccalaureate institutions.
Legislation this session, Senate Bill 5420, would enact COP’s proposal and set a framework for the state to return to a 50/50 funding model where the state pays half of the cost to attend college. Today, students and their families cover 67 percent of the cost of attendance through tuition at four-year institutions.
The Seattle Times editorial board states that freezing tuition would also ease the pressure on college assistance programs such as the Guaranteed Education Tuition program, the state Need Grant and College Bound.
A reinvestment in higher education would mean an increase in overall enrollments, a reinvestment in the quality of education and student services, an increase in production of high demand degrees sought by employers in Washington, and the ability to meet the performance goals set by the Legislature in 2011.