Four stories appeared yesterday about UVa.’s plan to increase the amount of aid it offers to poorer students, although since one story suggests that families making up to $100,000 might qualify you’ve got to question my use of the term “poorer.” Three of the stories are here, here, and here.
Only the hometown newspaper included the obvious political angle.
The changes offset one argument of charter legislation critics, who say that predicted tuition increases will leave middle-income students out in the cold.
State legislators will consider this month the proposal to allow public colleges and universities greater autonomy, led by UVa, Virginia Tech and the College of William & Mary. If the charter is enacted, the three schools will accept less state money for more freedom from regulation.
A side effect, UVa officials have said, would be an expected 8 percent to 10 percent annual rise in tuition for the next five years.
“One of the criticisms [of the charter] is the increase in tuition we’re talking about,” said John A. Blackburn, UVa’s dean of admission.
Community college students, he added, “are often working or have family obligations. They can use the money. I think for the people at the General Assembly, it says we’re going to take care of students who need aid.”
Still, leaders from the university and the community college system said Monday’s announcement is not politically motivated.
“The university would have done so with or without the charter,” said Glenn DuBois, chancellor of the community college system and chairman of Virginia’s Council of Presidents.
But the move has an impact on charter legislation “indirectly,” he added.
The higher education system’s Council of Presidents has endorsed a plan to allow all state colleges and universities a degree of autonomy, particularly in setting tuition and fees.
“The Council of Presidents has certain commitments,” DuBois said. “Access is one piece, transfer is another.”
UVa President John T. Casteen III said he didn’t know what impact the aid plan’s expansion would have on state legislators, who “have not been involved in financial aid matters for some time now. I’d like them to be more involved.”
Be careful what you wish for, Mr. Casteen.