MD tuition freeze, fourth year

For the fourth consecutive year the University System of Maryland Board of Regents has frozen tuition for all in-state undergraduate students who attend four-year public colleges. 

Despite some scrutiny, the decision passed by a unanimous vote Thursday morning at Towson University. 

Board members voiced minimal apprehension with regard to economic uncertainty in the coming years.  USM Chancellor William “Brit” Kirwan spoke of forward planning with the use of another year of stimulus state funding. Reliance on a national economic upturn is paramount.  

“We’re hopeful that with one more year of stimulus funds to stabilize the state’s budget, the economy is going to start to grow again and we can get to a position where we can have predictable investments of general funds and moderate tuition increases. That’s where we’re headed,” Kirwan said. “The commitment here in the state of Maryland is just remarkable. I’m confident that higher education will fair very well in whatever economy we find ourselves.” 

Maryland is the only state to accomplish a four-year tuition freeze. Just years ago, the state was the sixth-most costly place to attend college. Today, Maryland is ranked 18th — a feat that was mentioned several times during both the Board of Regents meeting and the following sit-down with Gov. Martin O’Malley. Towson President Robert Caret introduced him as the “education governor.”

 “We know that our progress as people depends on our ability to create, to innovate, and to build and strengthen and grow an upwardly mobile middle class in a global economy,” O’Malley said. 

While undergraduate tuition will remain the same, out-of-state costs at Towson are rising 1.7 percent, or a total cost of $15,994. 

On the topic of increases, Kirwan read off a list of states fairing far worse than Maryland. According to the Chancellor, Washington would be implementing a 15 percent tuition increase, California, a 10 percent and Georgia, a 25 percent increase. 

“... being from Maryland, looking at the national context, having to feel awfully good and appreciative of the remarkable support we’ve had from the governor and the General Assembly,” Kirwan said.  

The General Fund increase for the state, which goes toward construction, hiring faculty, among other costs, has risen steadily at eight percent per year. 

“We’re getting much more of a balance between state support and individual support. I think it’s the right thing to do and I’m both amazed and pleased that the state is able to do it in this economy,” Caret said.