Public college control over tuition fails

The House of Representatives rejected a bill Wednesday which the author says was designed to offer public colleges and universities some flexibility in the face of budget cuts and financial difficulty.
Authored by Rep. Barry Ivey, R-Baton Rouge, House Bill 439 would have allowed institutions to increase tuition without legislative approval. However, any such increases would have applied only to students who did not receive tuition assistance through TOPS.
“This bill allows for limited autonomy -- limited,” said Ivey. “Right now, schools don’t have any flexibility. If they see a $10 million cut coming, which isn’t unheard of given how things are going, their hands are tied and have no way to make up for that loss.”
Ivey argued his plan would serve as a safety net for colleges and universities when funding is insufficient or unavailable. He also noted that not all students would be affected, emphasizing that no TOPS student or parent would have shouldered the burden of potential increases in tuition.
Ultimately, Ivey failed to persuade his colleagues and the bill died in a contentious 31-58 vote.
Rep. Barbara Norton, D-Shreveport, took issue with Ivey’s aruments, as did many of her fellow Democrats.
In a heated exchange, Norton asked, “At the end of the day, do you think it’s fair to treat student so differently? This bill is going to hurt a lot of students.”
“This won’t hurt students,” Ivey replied.
“How can you say that? I’m getting phone calls from all over my district,” Norton responded. “Folks at home, they’re worried because what you’re telling me means that (potential tuition increases) will hurt students and families.”
Rep. Edward Price, D-Gonzales, echoed Norton’s point. “You’re putting the weight of future cuts on the backs of students who are already paying the most for their education. Do you think that’s right?”
“This is just one of two options,” Ivey said, referring to a proposed constitutional amendment to give the state’s higher education governing boards full authority over tuition increases. “If we do nothing, there will be significant consequences.”