March 24, 2017 Kenneth Colangelo

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From President Mark Ojakian,  CT State Colleges & Universities—

 

March 24, 2017

Dear Students, Families and our CSCU Community:

We are working hard every day to put our students first. That is why, like last year, I want you to hear this news directly from me. I am recommending a tuition increase at all of our schools. It is a smaller increase than the previous two years, and for the first time I am suggesting a two-year time frame so that students and families can plan better for their educational costs.
What I am recommending for all students at the four state universities, 12 community colleges and Charter Oak State College is:

CSCU Tuition/Fees Increase New Tuition/Fees (FY18)
Universities $10,079 4.0% or $403 $10,482
Community Colleges $4,168 2.5% or $104 $4,276
Charter Oak State College $7,611 4.0% or $304 $7,915

 

CSCU Tuition/Fees Increase New Tuition/Fees (FY19)
Universities $10,482 4.0% or $419 $10,901
Community Colleges $4,276 2.5% or $108 $4,384
Charter Oak State College $7,915 4.0% or $319 $8,234

 

There are a few things we considered in making this decision:

  • Every year we nominally increase our tuition to address the growing costs of programs and services.
  • This increase will be the exactly the same next year. For community colleges, this represents an increase of approximately $50 per semester and $200 per semester for the universities and $150 at Charter Oak for the next two years.
  • This does not close our deficit and we would never look to tuition to do so. If we did, we would have to raise it by double-digits and that’s not an option we’d be willing to consider.
  • I want to deliver on my promise to keep our schools affordable and not further burden our hard working students.

The Board of Regents Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, March 29, to discuss this recommendation and the full Board is scheduled to vote on April 6.
I am fully aware that an increase is still an increase and this will impact you and your families. As a public higher education system, we will work hard to provide you with the affordable high quality education you deserve and expect. Please contact me if you have questions or concerns at [email protected].

Sincerely,
Mark E. Ojakian, President
CT State Colleges and Universities