Regents vote to raise state college tuition
By LAUREN MCDONALD lmcdonald@goldenisles.news
The University System of Georgia Board of Regents voted Tuesday to raise tuition by 2 percent next year at its colleges and universities statewide, during a meeting held at College of Coastal Georgia.
The increase applies to both in-state and out-of-state students. For in-state students, this means they will pay between $27 to $98 more per semester, and out-of-state students will pay between $103 to $300 more.
The board also voted to increase base graduate school tuition by 2.5 percent.
“Balancing affordability and quality in the classroom is an important consideration when setting tuition rates,” said Shelley Nickel, executive vice chancellor for strategy and fiscal affairs.
Board members and officials, as well as administrators from colleges and universities around the state, are visiting Glynn County this week for the monthly regents meeting, which is normally held in Atlanta.
The Board of Regents is composed of 19 members, who are appointed by the governor. It oversees the nearly 30 public colleges and universities that comprise the University System of Georgia.
University system officials took time to spotlight the growth and success CCGA has seen in the last several years and to recognize its president, Greg Aloia, who came onboard in 2013 and will be retiring this June.
Enrollment has increased by 18 percent since Aloia began as president, said Board of Regents Chancellor Steve Wrigley. The college has also been consistently recognized for being veteran-friendly, has implemented initiatives to reduce the cost of attendance for its students and has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best public colleges in the region, he said.
“The institution has really thrived under Greg’s leadership, and more than anything else he’s just a good man,” Wrigley said.
Aloia said he was proud to share CCGA’s accomplishments with the USG.
“I’m glad you’re here. You couldn’t have come at a better time,” Aloia said. “We are very proud to tell that story to you, and I’m proud to share this with my fellow presidents.”
Chancellor Wrigley also announced the launch of a USG initiative to reduce administrative costs.
“Making college more affordable and finding ways to be more efficient are both priorities of the University System,” Wrigley said.
He said the USG will undergo a comprehensive administrative review, which will be a system-wide initiative that could include streamlining certain processes and reorganizing staff.
He said other universities systems have gone through this process and seen significant savings.
“I believe that our institutions have worked hard to use resources wisely, but we can always do better, and that is what I am challenging us to do,” he said.
Photo by Bobby Haven of The Brunswick News
The University System of Georgia Board of Regents met at the College of Coastal Georgia on April 18.