S 2236 (Tuition Bill) Update

There's good news and bad news on Senate Bill 2236, the bill that would gouge college students on their tuition if they exceed the required number of hours for a degree by a certain percentage (see earlier post.)

The bad news is that the bill passed through the Government Efficiency Appropriations Committee on a 5-0 vote.

The good news is that the bill passed through this committee with the following four amendments:

Amendment 1: Changes the excess hours percentage from 115% to 120% of required hours for the enrolled degree program.

Amendment 2: Changes application of this new policy to incoming Freshmen for the Fall 2005 school year and beyond.

Amendment 3: Exempts certain hours from being calculated for graduation and the excess credit policy:

• Hours earned through accelerated programs Internship hours.
• Medical or personal hardship withdrawals.
• Hours for a dual major.
• Hours taken by active duty military personnel.
• Hours taken for certificate programs.
• Remedial and english as a second language credit hours.

Amendment 3 also requires the college/university to notify their students of the excess hours policy as they reach the required number of hours needed.

Amendment 4: Changes the out-of-state tuition rate to 75 % over the in-state tuition rate.

So, while I'm still not happy about this bill and would like to see it voted down in the Senate, these amendments make it MUCH more reasonable than the draconian original version.