The impact of tuition deregulation was the subject of disagreement among a handful of University organization representatives at the state Capitol on Tuesday.
Viewpoints from members of Student Government, the University Democrats and the Young Conservatives of Texas, and UT President William Powers differed as they testified in front of the Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education. The panel considered a number of bills that would restrict or eliminate the ability of universities to set their own tuition rates.
The Legislature passed tuition deregulation in 2003 in response to economic constraints. Tuition at the University has risen 102 percent since then, according to bill analysis by Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, citing the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. However, taking inflation and financial aid into account, the actual cost increase amounts to 16 percent to 31 percent for middle-class students, according to a document provided by UT Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Kevin Hegarty.
"This is like crack for the universities, they just can't seem to get enough of these tuition increases," said Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, early in the hearing.
Six bills would implement a variety of methods to cap the increases universities would be allowed to charge. One bill would do away with tuition deregulation altogether. Others would cap tuition increases at 5 percent per year or establish locked-in tuition rates.
Later in the hearing, former UT System Regent Brian Haley, a UT law student, said he was insulted by Williams' statement. "I have never gotten high off a tuition increase. In fact, I've been spat on, I've received threats, I've been beat up in the paper," Haley said. "I understand that tuition increases are a serious deal."
The elimination or restriction of deregulation would have negative ramifications on the growth of universities, he said.
In disagreement, SG spokesman and University Democrats member Zach Hall spoke on his own behalf against tuition deregulation. Tuition deregulation kills the ability of middle-class families to attend institutions of higher education, he said.
"I have $17,000 worth of debt, and I'm only a sophomore," Hall said.
Outgoing SG President Danielle Rugoff and President-elect Andrew Solomon both voiced support for the current tuition rate system. Solomon offered an increase in legislative appropriations as a solution to funding needs.
Throughout various legislative hearings, Powers has continued to maintain that tuition flexibility is a necessity in order to ensure that the University can compete with other major research institutions for top-tier students and faculty.
Legislative support amounted to 16 percent of the University's budget for the 2006-2007 academic year, while tuition makes up 24 percent of the budget, according to UT's Office of Institutional Research. Powers said federal research funds and donations tend to be designated for certain projects.
Powers cited a ranking that puts UT 11th out of 12 competing universities for resources spent per student.
Kyle Morris, Texas State University's Associated Student Government president, noted the position of UT students on tuition deregulation in his support of the bills.
"All I can say is that if UT wants to have deregulated tuition, that's fine," Morris said. "Regulate the rest of us."
All bills were left pending in subcommittee.
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