FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 13, 2009

Tuition alternatives to be discussed at HECB’s February meeting

        OLYMPIA—Proposed budget cuts for higher education have generated intense interest in what kinds of tuition strategy the state should adopt for the coming biennium. A graduated tuition system based on family or personal income is one alternative being discussed. Others favor high-tuition, high-financial-aid approaches.

     The Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) and the Governor both have recommended that current state tuition policy be maintained and that resident, undergraduate tuition rate increases be held to the 7 percent limit in state law.

     At its monthly meeting next Tuesday, February 17, in Olympia, the HECB and members of its Advisory Council will hear from  David Longanecker, President, Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education (WICHE) on tuition policy, and will review a policy paper that evaluates alternative tuition approaches being taken by other states.

     Among the impacts to be considered when evaluating various tuition alternatives are their impacts on student access, the Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) program, student loans, student and family financial planning, and institutional revenues. The full tuition-policy paper is available at: Board Materials.

     Following the morning meeting with its Advisory Council, the HECB will hold its regular monthly meeting starting at 1 p.m.  Items on the agenda include adoption of the findings in a report on progress to improve student transfer between two-year and four-year institutions. 

     The Board also will discuss proposed changes to a set of principles it adopted in November for making budget decisions affecting higher education.

 Briefing materials for the meeting are available at:
        www.hecb.wa.gov/boardmtgs/index.asp

Who:      HECB/Advisory Council

What:    Advisory Council meeting/Regular meeting

Where:  State Investment Board Room

               2100 Evergreen Park Drive SW

               Olympia, WA 98502

When:   Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009 – 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Public Comment: A sign-in sheet is provided for public comment on any of the items presented.

Meeting Accommodation: Persons who require special accommodation for attendance must call the HECB at 360-753-7800 as soon as possible before the meeting.

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For more information: Gary Larson

(360) 753-7817 or garyl@hecb.wa.gov