Mark Ojakian, president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system, warned of tuition increases coming to schools in the system.
In a letter to students, Ojakian said he is recommending tuition increases at all the institutions for next year, including a 5 percent increase to tuition for universities. This would boost the current tuition of $9,609 by $480 to $10,089.
He is recommending a 3.5 percent increase for community colleges, which would increase the tuition by $141, from $4,032 to $4,173. He is also recommending a 4 percent increase at Charter Oak State College, from $8,666 to $9,013.
"I am fully aware that this is not the news you wanted to receive. Nor is it the news I wanted to be delivering. We spent a lot of time reviewing our budget options for next year. I believe this increase is fair given our current environment, and keeps our schools affordable so you are not burdened with crippling debt when you graduate," he said in a statement.
Ojakian said he expects $26 million in cuts during the next fiscal year and the proposed increase does not close the deficit, but it would allow the schools to "remain accessible and not burden students with crippling debt upon graduation.”
The tuition hike would affect more than 88,000 students.
The following colleges and universities are part of the system:
- Asnuntuck Community College in Enfield
- Capital Community College in Hartford
- Central Connecticut State University in New Britain
- Charter Oak State College in New Britain
- Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic
- Gateway Community College in New Haven
- Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport
- Manchester Community College in Manchester
- Middlesex Community College in Middletown
- Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury
- Northwestern CT Community College in Winsted
- Norwalk Community College in Norwalk
- Quinebaug Valley Community College in Danielson
- Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven
- Three Rivers Community College in Norwich
- Tunxis Community College in Farmington
- Western Connecticut State University in Danbury
This comes the day after he announced a temporary hiring freeze across all 17 campuses and the system office for at least the rest of this fiscal year.
