House Backs Plan for Increased Tuition in University STEM Programs

Florida universities may be able to set higher tuition for students enrolled into academic programs state lawmakers hope will produce more graduates to help build the economy.

The House voted 85-28 Friday for HB 7129, a comprehensive education overhaul of the states education system crafted by William Bill Proctor, R-St. Augustine he after attended workshops with university leaders on the need to expand the field of science, technology, engineering and math.

Gov. Rick Scott has targeted higher education reform for the 2012 session, drawing on data from the Agency for Workforce Innovation. He has estimated Florida will need at least 120,000 workers in the STEM fields through 2018. House Speaker Dean Cannon echoed the call during his address to the House to open the 2012 session.

In workshops in January, Bernie Machen, University of Florida president, and Eric Barron, Florida State University president, told legislators the hike would help cover the cost for the additional faculty needed to provide more STEM courses without increasing the costs for students in other fields.

In Higher Education Budget Conference sessions this week, the House agreed to the Senates position to include no base tuition hike. Each state university could still ask the Board of Governors for increases up to 15 percent to plug holes that could be created by the state Legislature using $300 million from undesignated reserves in the university system.

FSU and UF are seeking the freedom to exceed that amount if necessary.