Temple Prez: More State Money Would Limit Tuition Hikes
By Tony Romeo
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) --- The president of Temple University says his school should have no problem keeping tuition increases below the rate of inflation if the legislature approves the governor's request for more funding.
The leaders of Pennsylvania's four "state-related" universities, including Temple, Penn State and Lincoln Universities, appeared before state lawmakers at budget hearings Tuesday. All indicated a willingness to hold the line on tuition if funding increases proposed by the governor are approved.
Temple President Neil Theobald, who says his school gets about 11% of its funding from the state, says keeping increases at the rate of inflation or lower shouldn't be a problem.
"Clearly, it's a partnership – the state and the university – in terms of tuition," he said. "If there is a significant increase in state funding, we will keep tuition at a very low rate, certainly inflation won't be an issue."
Penn State's president told lawmakers that he would recommend no tuition increases for in-state students if the governor's funding proposal is approved.