The New Jersey Legislature and the University's governing associations are working to strike a balance between limiting tuition increases and keeping the University budget from slipping into deficit.
Assemblyman Joseph Pennacchio, R-26, made the first strides toward limiting tuition increases with the introduction of the College Tuition Accountability Act in September of this year.
Under the act, the limit on the amount the University could increase tuition would be derived from an economic indicator known as the Consumer Price Index. CPI is a decimal indicator the U.S. Department of Labor releases every fiscal year.
Under the provisions of the act, any public institution of higher learning that raises its in-state undergraduate and graduate fees above a certain level determined by the CPI would be subject to a revocation of all state aid.
Pennacchio said an increase in University and higher education funding would be unfair to taxpayers. "There's a lot being shelved by taxpayers and students," Pennacchio said, pointing to this year's $2 billion higher education budget.
Pennacchio said universities looking to reduce their operation budget should look to cutting unnecessary expenses. "Maybe you shouldn't hire all the professors, vice-presidents and commissioners," Pennacchio said, "I think it's unfair."
Pennacchio added that staff reduction might be important in keeping universities and colleges competitive in the crowded New Jersey education market. "If you price yourself out of the market, I don't care how grandiose your university is. It'll be a university the kids can't afford."
Although Pennacchio said the aim is to keep college tuition affordable, University student leaders have so far given the bill a cold reception.
Senior Adam Cooper, president of the Rutgers College Governing Association, said the limitations on tuition raises are ill-advised at a time when the University has not seen a significant budget increase since 2001.
"In the event that the state government decreases our budget by several million [dollars], let's say the CPI is 3 percent, and the University has to raise it by 4 or 5 percent." Cooper said the University would then be deprived of its funding.
He added that if the state assembly was interested in reducing the burden of undergraduate and graduate tuition, they should increase the University's budget. "We do need to see an increase in state funding," Cooper said.
At its meeting Tuesday night, the Rutgers College Governing Association joined the Livingston College Governing Association and Douglass College Government Association, as well as The Rutgers Lobbying Association in approving resolutions condemning the act.
Class of 2005 Rep. David Ciemnecki opposed the resolution. "This is a way to keep schools affordable for students. It's the state's way to keep tuition down."
Most representatives called for tuition raises to be prevented by an infusion of state funds into the University budget.
"As the richest state in the nation, we need to petition for more funding," said Rutgers College Rep. Dan Valentine, a senior.
Representatives at the meeting also resisted the bill on the grounds that they preferred maintaining the University's control over matters of budgeting and tuition. "The administration is the best resource for solving our problems," Rutgers College Class of 2007 representative David Cole added.
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