More for K-12, less for higher education

by Laura M. Schneider
Staff Writer

Students can expect to see an increase in college tuition at public universities across Ohio, said Ohio Sen. Tim Ryan, D-Niles.

Ryan's visit to Ohio University yesterday coincided with the Senate's passing of the two-year, $45 billion state budget bill late Wednesday that granted higher education $800 million dollars less than requested.

The budget aims to resolve the 10-year problem of public school funding by increasing funds to those schools by $1.4 billion. Those in favor of the new budget say it will resolve the Ohio Supreme Court's finding that state school funding based on property tax revenue is unconstitutional.

But higher education will fall short of funding requests.

Gov. Bob Taft's office likely will consider the bill, also passed by the House, next week after a conference committee reviews the House and Senate bills.

Higher education, budget cuts, tuition caps and raising student awareness of state government were on Ryan's agenda when he visited OU - one of many stops at state universities in the last few months. About 17 OU students gathered to listen and ask Ryan questions.

"The budget sucks," he said. "It's a joke; it's going to raise tuition. They lifted the (tuition) cap on all state schools. You'll see at least a 6 percent increase on all schools."

The Senate's bill would raise the tuition caps that previously allowed state universities to raise tuition only 6 percent each year, Ryan said.

Ryan said he predicts some state and community colleges will increase tuition as much as 9 or 10 percent each year to compensate for lacking state funding.

"People don't understand the need for education; that's obvious in the budget," he said.

In Ohio, the average college graduate makes $20,000 to $25,000 more than the average high school graduate, Ryan said.

"Make the proper investment and you'll make your money back long-term," he said. "Long-term is the approach."

The 1995 graduate of Bowling Green State University urged audience members to take an active role in state government.

"The more young people we talk to, the better shot we have to make something happen," he said.

Ryan said he hoped that by educating students about the role of state government, they will be more proactive and realize their potential to push for the changes they want.

Colin Caywood, OU Student Senate vice commissioner of federal and state legislative affairs, said she did not agree with removing higher education tuition caps.

"I don't see any benefit in removing tuition caps," she said. "As important as (grades) K-12 is, there isn't going to be anywhere for those kids to go if they can't afford college."

OU senior Heather Wakefield, student senate's university life commissioner, said she doesn't think the budget will solve public school funding problems in Ohio.

- The Associated Press contributed to this article.