Tuition freeze at University of Minnesota

and other state schools?

Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus communication department

SENATOR JOHN CARLSON INTRODUCES HIGHER EDUCATION TUITION FREEZE

(ST. PAUL) – State Senator John Carlson (R-Bemidji) introduced legislation today that calls for a temporary freeze and permanent tuition increase limitations for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) and University of Minnesota institutions. The bill, Senate File 268, would put in place a two-year tuition freeze and an increase limitation thereafter.

Senator Carlson, a member of the Senate Higher Education Committee, said Wednesday, “In our current financial crisis, we must seek responsible government reform. With this bill, our Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and University of Minnesota systems will need to make true structural reform to push revenue to the classrooms and reduce administrative overhead.”

Senate File 268 calls for a tuition freeze at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and University of Minnesota for academic terms commencing between July 1, 2011, and June 30, 2013. After that two year period, tuition increases from one academic year to the next may not exceed the annual percentage increase in inflation.

The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Higher Education. The first committee hearing on Senate File 268 is scheduled for Wednesday, February 16 at 3:00 pm.

Senator Carlson is scheduled to speak with college and university students during Student Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, February 16. The group will gather at the Capitol steps at 11:30 a.m.