From the Statehouse 2007 No. 04
by Jennifer Garrison
Mar. 24, 2007
From the statehouse 2007 No. 04
Higher education was the topic of debate this week in committee and on the House floor at the statehouse. The Ohio House favorably voted out House Bill 2. I voted “yes.”
Governor Strickland in his State of the State address last week identified changes in higher education designed to stop tuition from increasing at Ohio’s public colleges and universities. He has proposed setting up a Higher Education Compact whereby colleges and universities would cut their cost and become more efficient.
If a college or university joins the compact, he has promised an increase in state funds. However, our state colleges and universities must agree tuition will not increase next year and will not be increased by more than 3% the second year. This is quite remarkable considering the average yearly tuition increase has been 9 percent over the last 8 years.
A bi-partisan approach to gain control of the sky rocketing costs to public colleges and universities is House Bill 2. House Bill 2, elevates the Chancellor of the Board of Regents to an Ohio cabinet position, appointed by the Governor, subject to the approval and consent of the Senate. The powers of the Board of Regents will be transferred to the Chancellor with the Board of Regents becoming an advisory board. Additionally, the Chancellor is now required to make recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor for improvements in higher education.
In September, 2006 the National Report Card on Higher Education released their grading system for higher education across the country. Ohio received an “F” for affordability. It is time for the public colleges and universities to enter into bulk buying agreements and reduce duplication of services. The aim is to reduce costs and increase efficiencies at our institutions which will reduce tuition. The state report card also found the average Ohio family spent 42% of their income to send their child to a four-year state school.
We need more Ohioans to obtain a degree. Cost should not prohibit an Ohio student from advancing their education at a state college or university. We know 60% of new jobs created will require a college degree and an educated workforce attracts jobs. Today, Ohio is 47% higher than the national average in tuition costs for public universities. Ohio is also 37th in producing college graduates.
House Bill 2 is a tremendous change in the hierarchy of higher education for the state of Ohio. Placing more power in the Chancellor, who is directly accountable to the Governor, will allow the Governor to effect the radical change needed for Ohio to graduate more students with college degrees and contain tuition costs. The Governor is committed to increasing the number of Ohioans with a college degree.
House Bill 2 will next be debated in the Senate. Republican and Democrats alike recognize the importance of addressing the higher education affordability concerns and graduation rate concerns. In that vein the billed passed 96-2.
There is a spirit of bi-partisanship at the Statehouse these days that I did not experience the past two (2) years. Members from both sides of the aisle are working together. The people of Ohio are better off and I believe we are delivering what you expect.
You can reach Jennifer Garrison at her Columbus office at 614-644-8728 or in the district at 740-373-2414 or by e-mail at jennifer@jennifergarrison.com. Her website is Riffe Center | 77 South High Street | Columbus Ohio 43215-6111 | (800) 282-0253 | District93@ohr.state.oh.us
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