Louisiana House Bill HB586

Louisiana 2016 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/4/16
• Refer: 3/4/16
• Refer: 3/14/16
• Report Pass: 4/20/16

Caption

Authorizes the public postsecondary education management boards to increase tuition and fee amounts under certain circumstances (EG INCREASE SG RV See Note)

Impact

The potential impact of HB 586 on state laws includes adjusting the tuition frameworks for public colleges and universities according to their performance indicators relative to peer institutions. By allowing for one-time adjustments, the bill seeks to ensure that poorer-performing institutions can increase their fees to remain on par without creating a cycle of continuous fee increases. The stipulated conditions are meant to promote improvements in student retention and graduation rates, ensuring that monetary increases are justified by institutional performance.

Summary

House Bill 586 aims to authorize public postsecondary education management boards in Louisiana to impose a one-time increase in tuition and mandatory fees for institutions that meet specific criteria. The criteria require that the institution's current fees be less than the average of similar institutions in the Southern Regional Education Board, alongside meeting minimum graduation and freshman retention rates. This approach is intended to maintain competitive pricing while enhancing support for institutions that demonstrate strong performance metrics.

Sentiment

The sentiment on HB 586 appears largely supportive among proponents of educational reform, who argue that it provides necessary flexibility for institutions to manage funding amidst rising educational costs. However, there is also apprehension among various stakeholders regarding the implications of increasing tuition, particularly in regard to financial accessibility for students. Critics argue that any increase could make higher education less attainable, particularly for low-income families, thus complicating the pursuit of education in a state already facing significant challenges in educational equity.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB 586 include the concern that permitting tuition increases tied to performance metrics may disproportionately affect lower-income students who already struggle with college affordability. Additionally, there are debates about the adequacy of the performance metrics set out in the bill and whether they provide a true reflection of educational quality or merely serve as a justification for tuition increases. The discussions suggest a tension between the need for institutional funding and the desire to maintain affordability and access to higher education.