Connecticut House Bill HB05381

Connecticut 2014 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/26/14
• Refer: 2/26/14
• Report Pass: 3/13/14
• Refer: 3/21/14
• Report Pass: 3/27/14
• Refer: 4/1/14
• Report Pass: 4/7/14

Caption

An Act Implementing The Recommendations Of The Legislative Program Review And Investigations Committee Concerning The Publication Of Tuition And Fee Schedule Increases And The Development Of A System To Track Graduates' Success By The University Of Connecticut.

Impact

The bill will require the University of Connecticut to publicly disclose any scheduled increases in tuition and fees, as well as their implications for students' overall cost of education including room and board. Additionally, the University is tasked with collaborating with various educational and workforce agencies to develop the P20 WIN system, which is intended to track graduate success in terms of employment and earnings by their major. This data-driven approach is expected to provide insights that can inform educational strategies and policies, supporting the university's mission to enhance graduate outcomes.

Summary

House Bill 5381 aims to enhance transparency in the financial practices of the University of Connecticut by mandating the regular publication of tuition and fee increases. It emphasizes the importance of financial literacy among prospective students and their families, ensuring that they have access to timely information regarding tuition changes which may impact their education costs. This initiative reflects a larger trend in higher education towards promoting transparency and accountability within state universities.

Sentiment

The sentiment towards HB 5381 appears to be generally positive, especially among proponents who advocate for greater accountability in higher education financing. Supporters argue that the bill represents a significant step towards ensuring that students are better informed about the costs associated with their education. However, there may be concerns from some stakeholders regarding the implementation of such systems, including privacy issues related to the tracking of graduate employment data.

Contention

While the bill promotes transparency and accountability, some legislators and education advocates may raise concerns regarding how the publication of this information could affect enrollment and perceptions of the university. There could also be debates about the effectiveness of the P20 WIN system and whether it will successfully provide meaningful insights into graduate success, as well as the potential administrative burden on the university in maintaining such a system. Overall, the discussion surrounding HB 5381 underscores the ongoing challenges in balancing transparency with the operational capacities of educational institutions.