Stripping the Indiana University trustees of the authority to set tuition rates and blocking the growth of the successful I-Light high-speed broadband network are just two of the issues university representatives are closely watching during this year’s session of the Indiana General Assembly.
The so-called “right to work” legislation deemed a top priority by Gov. Mitch Daniels has captured most of the attention in this year’s “short session” of the Legislature.
But from IU’s perspective, several bills introduced this year merit close attention, with the authority to set tuition and fees probably topping the list, according to Jeff Linder, IU associate vice president for state relations.
“This is a very big deal,” Linder wrote in an email exchange late Friday.
Currently, the authority to set tuition and fees lies solely with the IU Board of Trustees, and the Indiana Commission for Higher Education — which is controlled by the governor — serves in an advisory role. The bill before the Legislature would give the commission authority to establish the maximum amount fees can increase for each state educational institution. It also would give oversight of the commission recommendations to the State Budget Committee, whose director also is appointed by the governor.
House Bill 1118 also would void tuition and fees already set by state universities for 2012-13 and allow the higher education commission to cap tuition and fees for that fiscal year as well. The IU trustees already have approved a 3.5 percent tuition hike and a facility renovation and rehabilitation fee of $360 for full-time students.