by Steven Katona<\/p>\n
College students may get tuition breaks in the future due to Governor Rick Scott\u2019s executive order calling for a change in the State University System.<\/p>\n
A report by the Blue Ribbon Task Force \u2500 a group created by Governor Rick Scott\u2019s executive order 12-104 \u2500 outlined a different approach in the way Florida\u2019s universities should be supported, which includes removing policies of uniform state funding. In its place, they recommended that university tuition should vary by specific degree programs in the areas where Florida\u2019s economy needs to grow, programs that educate students for the job positions most needed in the state. \u00a0It would, however, vary by \u201cstrategic areas of emphasis,\u201d meaning each university might see different tuition rates per major.<\/p>\n
In practical terms, Florida\u2019s executive branch intends to attract economic development through higher education measures, tuition breaks being the main eye candy for parents and future college students.<\/p>\n
William \u2018Bill\u2019 Proctor Ph.D., one of seven members of the Task Force, said, \u201cThere is a proposal that\u2019s incorporated into that report that features high demand, high pay and high need jobs that can be identified right now. And what was proposed was that the universities would lower their tuition as low as they could for those disciplines that met those types of occupations, for at least three years.\u201d<\/p>\n
The report also advised that if production costs for these degrees were to rise above the amount the universities charge for lower tuition rates, the state would back their funding and the difference in cost.<\/p>\n
After almost seven months of research, the report concludes that, \u201cWading through the data and various perspectives in search of clear and universally palatable solutions proved hard work. As expected, there emerged no unidimensional or otherwise simplistic answer to meeting Governor Scott\u2019s call for accelerated excellence from our State University System, as the issues are so intertwined.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daytona State College professor Dr. MaryAnn Gromoll of the Education Department sees benefits as well as drawbacks if the state follows through with this proposal.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have two perspectives. As a professor, I would love to see our students rewarded for going into those fields and getting their tuitions lowered, but as a parent of kids who are willing to go into the more popular and less needed fields, I think that\u2019s very harsh for students who are willing to work hard and for a much lower salary than someone who\u2019s in the much higher needed fields,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The report is primarily focused on lowering tuition for Florida\u2019s 12 public universities that are under the Board of Governors and the State University System. Once the governor decides what to do with the information, there may also be some state college students that see such breaks, but not as directly as universities in the SUS.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s in the governor\u2019s hands at this point,\u201d Proctor said, just days after the final draft was sent to Governor Rick Scott in early November. \u201cI think we fulfilled our obligation, so it\u2019s now up to the governor to decide what he intends to do with it.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
College students may get tuition breaks in the future due to Governor Rick Scott\u2019s executive order calling for a change in the State University System.<\/p>\n
A report by the Blue Ribbon Task Force \u2500 a group created by Governor Rick Scott\u2019s executive order 12-104 \u2500 outlined a different approach in the way Florida\u2019s universities should be supported, which includes removing policies of uniform state funding. In its place, they recommended that university tuition should vary by specific degree programs in the areas where Florida\u2019s economy needs to grow, programs that educate students for the job positions most needed in the state. It would, however, vary by \u201cstrategic areas of emphasis,\u201d meaning each university might see different tuition rates per major. Continue reading State Task Force Proposes Lowering Tuition<\/span>