Our Leader Points His Finger at the Governor for Tuition Increases. First, Look in the Mirror?
Or, Bruininks Threatens Governor With (Larger) Tuition Increase
Bruininks: Governor's budget plan could raise tuitionBy Jake Grovum
While additional tuition hikes would be his "last resort," University President Bob Bruininks said with proposed state funding cuts to higher education looming, it might be the only option.
A $27 million cut to the University from Gov. Tim Pawlenty's plan to solve the state's $935 million deficit problem, would have dire consequences for the University, Bruininks said at a House Higher Education and Workforce Development Policy and Finance Division hearing Wednesday.
"If the cut's this deep, tuition must be a part of the solution," he said. "Tuition will be the last resort, and I'm hoping we don't have to go there."
With a proposed 5 percent tuition increase for middle-income students set to take effect next year, Bruininks said there needs to be cooperation to keep higher education affordable.
"To put higher education in front of the parade, in terms of cuts, is just not a very smart strategy," he said.
Keep it up, Bob. Look at the posting right below this one.
Eventually the governor and the state legislature are going to get tired of this little game you have been playing.
Tuition is not simply an adjustable parameter that you can fudge in order to make your budget come out right. You are going to have to start committing to stabilize tuition. We are way out of line compared to our legitimate competition.
If this means cutting back on so-called central administration initiatives or your absurd "ambitious aspirations to be one of the top three public research universities in the world [sic]," so be it.
You said in your state of the university address that this was a land grant institution. It is long past time for you to start walking the talk.