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Several factors affect
UH tuition increase

the Star-Bulletin editorial of March 10, "University of Hawaii tuition increases are too much too soon," includes several misunderstandings that need to be clarified for the sake of students, their families and the public. The tuition charged at the UH campuses is an important matter for all citizens of the state, both those seeking public higher education and those subsidizing the costs.

The editorial indicates that only one student testified at the first public meeting held on the UH-Manoa campus. Although this is an accurate statement, it should not be assumed that students have not been informed or that they do not care. System administrators are conducting briefings on the tuition proposal with each student government group on each campus. Thirty-plus members of the Associated Students of the University of Hawaii at Manoa had attended a briefing the week prior to the first public meeting. Another 40-plus students, mostly student government leaders, had attended briefings held at Kapiolani Community College, Leeward Community College, Honolulu Community College and the University of Hawaii-West Oahu. Briefings for the other campuses are scheduled during the next few weeks. Students also have been advised that they may testify at the six scheduled public meetings, but that they also can provide written testimony via e-mail to tuition@hawaii.edu.

Even more critical to understanding the university's tuition proposal is to clarify the commitment to increased financial aid. Currently, $4.8 million of financial assistance is provided to students system-wide based on need. This amount will be increased to $20.7 million by 2010-11, the last year of the proposed five-year schedule. The increase is estimated to be the amount needed not only to provide increased aid to those already eligible for need-based aid, but also to the increased number of students anticipated to be eligible given the higher cost of their education. The commitment of this $20.7 million in assistance is not dependent on the governor or the Legislature; rather, the university is committed to earmark this amount from its own resources -- that is, from the increased revenues from tuition.

The editorial notes that the state and community gain benefits from a better-educated population, but it is important to realize that the primary beneficiary of post-secondary education is the individual. For example, in Hawaii the anticipated increase in lifetime earnings for an individual with a bachelor's degree (relative to one with a high school diploma) is $1,045,456. The proposed tuition schedule increases the share of the cost borne by students and their families, but the state's taxpayers will continue to heavily subsidize the cost of education, (e.g., at UHM the subsidy in 2010 will be 53 percent for resident undergraduates and tuition will cover 47 percent of the cost of their education).

The university takes seriously the impact of increased tuition on students and their families. The purpose of a five-year schedule with one year's advance notice is to provide families with the opportunity to plan. An installment pay option also is being created.

The administration will make its final recommendation on the tuition schedule to the Board of Regents later this spring. The intent of the administration is to arrive at a tuition schedule that is fiscally responsible and will ensure that the citizens of Hawaii continue to have access to quality higher education.

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