81R39051 KSD-D

By: Branch H.C.R. No. 288

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Tuition and fees at the state's public four-year universities have increased materially in recent years; and

WHEREAS, Texas families, already struggling to meet the costs of higher education, now see college slipping further from their reach as the global recession takes a toll on state and local economies; and

WHEREAS, A college education is directly linked to one's future employment opportunities; people with a college education earn larger salaries and see greater financial benefits over their lifetimes, in turn contributing significantly to the state's economic base; unpredictable tuition hikes, however, make it much more difficult for young people to plan for their education, and as a result, many will delay college or skip it altogether, while those who enroll will carry larger debt loads than ever; and

WHEREAS, The current economic crisis is limiting students' access to additional funds from loans, family assistance, and part-time jobs, but the continuing vitality of Texas depends on an educated population and workforce; temporarily limiting tuition and student fees at our state universities will help ensure that students are able to obtain a college education, thereby contributing to a diverse and robust economy throughout the state, both now and in the future; and

WHEREAS, The importance of higher education to the economic and cultural vitality of this state dictates that any limitation on increases in tuition and student fees be implemented in a manner that does not unduly restrict the quality and excellence of the state's universities; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas hereby direct the governing board of each general academic teaching institution to make every effort to ensure that the total academic costs, including tuition, mandatory academic fees, and any other academic-related general fees and college course fees, charged to a resident undergraduate student for the 2010-2011, 2011-2012, or 2012-2013 academic year do not exceed the total academic costs that the institution would have charged such a student enrolled in the same courses in the preceding academic year by more than the greater of 3.95 percent or $280; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the legislature hereby direct those governing boards to make every effort to ensure that the total academic costs charged to a resident undergraduate student for the 2013-2014 academic year do not exceed the total academic costs the institution would have charged such a student enrolled in the same courses in the 2012-2013 academic year by more than the greater of:

(1) 3.95 percent; or

(2) the average of the following:

(A) the average percentage increase, if any, in the consumer price index for each of the three preceding calendar years as compared to the consumer price index for the year preceding each of those years; and

(B) the average percentage increase, if any, in an appropriate higher education price index for each of the three preceding calendar years as compared to that higher education price index for the year preceding each of those years; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward an official copy of this resolution to the commissioner of higher education and to the presidents and members of the boards of regents of general academic teaching institutions throughout Texas.