Committee to Discuss Resolution Aimed at Limiting Tuition Increases

The Higher Education Subcommittee of the House Appropriation Committee will hold a hearing this afternoon on House Resolution 383, a proposed amendment to the Georgia Constitution designed to give elected officials oversight over tuition increases within the University System of Georgia (USG).

“As we have seen in recent years with tuition increases that have wildly outstripped the rate of inflation, the actions of the Board of Regents have a huge impact on Georgia's families,” said Rep. Earl Ehrhart (R-Powder Springs), chairman of the House Appropriations Higher Education Subcommittee, in a released statement. “In the current environment, it is important to reassess the relationship between the Board of Regents, elected officials, and the citizens of Georgia and improve accountability to our students.” 

If the proposed amendment is ratified, tuition and fee increases at USG schools could not exceed the rate of inflation unless approved by a joint resolution of the General Assembly. The rate of inflation would be measured by the Consumer Price Index compiled by the United States Department of Labor or any other measure of inflation specified by act of the General Assembly.

“I hope this hearing will be the beginning of a dialogue that will result in a governance model that is responsive to the needs of Georgia families,” Ehrhart said. 

The University System of Georgia oversees 35 colleges and universities as well as the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography and The Georgia Public Library System. In 2010, these institutions had a combined enrollment of 311,442 students.