Last night, state legislators and students met to discuss current issues facing Virginia's higher education system, mainly focusing on increasing tuition rates, in the Student Council-sponsored third annual ABC's of Higher Education"forum.
Sen. Russ Potts, R-27th District, who also is a gubernatorial candidate for the independent party, Sen. John Edwards, D-21st District, Del. Steve Landes, R-25th District and Whitney Kramer, a University alumna and representative of Del. Chris Saxman, R-20th District, comprised the evening's guest panel.
The discussion focused on the increasing tuition rates for Virginia state schools and the funding issues the University currently faces.
"Over the course of the past 15 years at the University of Virginia, tuition rates have fluctuated between increases of over 15 percent, a rollback of 20 percent and periodic tuition freezes," noted J.R. Slosson, Council Legislative Affairs Committee chair, during his questioning of the panel. "Here at U.Va. for 2005-2006, state general fund appropriations account for only 8.1 percent of the total budget."
Panel members made suggestions as to how the General Assembly could commit better funding and assistance in tuition cost, including solutions emphasizing the roles of Boards of Visitors at Virginia universities and colleges.
"The system of the board of visitors and individual colleges are autonomous," Landes said. "Tuition and fees are set by the board of visitors."
Potts criticized boards for having chairs that are "the elite of the elite" and "political hacks."
"Choosing [board members] based on caliber, not people based on political issues, is the best solution to help monitor the board of visitors," said Potts. "This is how increases [in funding] are going to total up over the next four years."
Some panel participants said the state legislature should have a more active role in the selection of board members, who are currently approved by the governor.
"Governors in the past have made appointments to people with agendas that weren't necessarily to higher education," said Landes. "I'd like to see the legislature have more input in who the governor appoints and have a more formal process for doing so."
Slosson said the forum provided students with an occasion to air their concerns and have a bigger influence on their academic careers.
"It's a great opportunity for proactive discussion about things that affect all students," said Slosson. "Things in Richmond can have an impact [on students] and it's important that they're engaged so that they know what's affecting their college life and to help them understand what they're voting for."
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