VOL. 134, NO. 8

OCT. 30, 2003

Rising tuition costs

alert officials

Affordable higher education is a key issue among legislators anduniversity officials, especially now that skyrocketing tuitioncosts have been highlighted in last week’s College Board study onhigher education prices.

Although most agree tuition should be lowered to ensure thatstudents are able to pay for college, educators disagree on whethergovernmental regulations should be implemented to controlincreasing tuition costs.

Earlier this month, U.S. Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon, R-Calif.,introduced the Affordability In Higher Education Act, which, ifpassed, would eventually allow the federal government to removedirect funding to institutions that increase tuition and fees morethan two times the inflation rate.

The bill would also establish a standard measure by whichconsumers of higher education could compare tuition increases.