Put cost controls on higher education
In an April 22 letter to the editor state Rep. Sandra Pihos blamed the state government (of which she is a part) for failure to adequately fund higher education in Illinois. Ms. Pihos criticized the state government for lack of adequate funding and went on to say that "community colleges are left with no alternative but to raise tuition and fees … "
I would agree with Ms. Pihos that the state government is to blame for the cost of higher education in Illinois. However, the problem is not inadequate funding.
Unlike secondary educational districts in Illinois, higher education has no accountability for cost control. They continue to operate with free rein to spend at will and have continually escalated their costs at two to three times the rate of inflation.
I know this too well. Just eight short years ago when my eldest son entered the University of Illinois, the total cost was slightly over $11,000 per year. Today that number approaches $20,000 per year -- a whopping 81 percent increase in just eight years. At this rate the cost to attend our premier state university will approach $40,000 per year by 2020!
The problem, Ms Pihos, is not inadequate funding. The taxpayers of Illinois could not even begin to fund higher education at these runaway levels. The problem is lack of management, cost control and accountability.
I have suggested in two previous letters that the state legislature enact legislation on our state universities similar to what was imposed on other educational districts -- annual cost increases tied to the rate of inflation.
Without adequate cost controls, the dream of a college education will slip from the grasp of the entire middle class in just a few short years.
So I suggest to Ms. Pihos that if she is truly concerned about the cost of higher education, step forward and put forth legislation that would restrict annual budget increases, limit tuition hikes and begin to force the management bodies of these institutions to do what they are supposed to be doing--manage. Let's stop playing politics with the future of our young people and begin to do what you were elected to do -- govern.
Randy Church
Glendale Heights