
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, April 2, 1990                   TAG: 9004020404
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A3   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: MARGIE FISHER RICHMOND BUREAU
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Medium

COLLEGE AUSTERITY IS URGED

Gov. Douglas Wilder today told Virginia college presidents that they should make more effort to control costs before they raise tuition and student fees.

Speaking here at a college presidents' luncheon, Wilder said "we must all be sensitive to the reality that an ever-growing number of middle income families in Virginia simply may not be able to afford the price tag of higher education in the commonwealth."

Wilder pointed out that Virginia's in-state tuition rates are already the highest in the Southeast and that tuition increases in the state are outpacing inflation by a significant margin. Mandatory fees are rising even faster than tuition, he said.

Wilder said he wants the college presidents to "streamline programs, cut unnecessary expenses and - in appropriate cases - curtail programs or services" to meet the state's budget constraints, rather than use cutbacks in appropriations for the schools as the excuse for tuition increases.

"In short, before informing Virginia parents that they will have to pay more tuition next year, our colleges must first demonstrate to parents and to the public at large that they are running as tight a ship as possible, that their fiscal house is in order."

Wilder's criticism follows recent approval of hefty tuition increases by several state universities.

On Friday, the University of Virginia Board of Visitors approved a tuition increase of 9.6 percent for in-state students. Tuition for out-of-state students jumped 14.8 percent.

On Saturday, Virginia Military Institute's board of visitors raised in-state tuition 8.1 percent and increased it 12.7 for out of state students.

At George Mason University in Fairfax, tuition was increased 9.4 for in-state students and 21.5 for out of state students.

In virtually every case, the schools cited budget cuts made by the General Assembly for 1990- 1992.

Legislators approved a 5 per cent cut in the $925 million funding program for the state's four-year and two-year colleges and universities.

by CNB