State must take strong stand for students and education

Enrollment at Idaho's four-year colleges and universities keeps going up — unfortunately, the same can't necessarily be said of the state's commitment to keeping costs affordable.

The State Board of Education has raised fees 136 percent compared to a decade ago. That is far and above every other state in the West, according to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.

Last year, fees went up an average of 8 percent.

Some may argue that Idaho's fees were far below the norm and are only catching up to colleges and universities in surrounding states. The crowded classrooms and packed university dorms are the result of students attracted by the state's reputation for a solid education at a bargain price, they argue.

Others say that, while an increase is to be expected, the rate of the increase is far and above what is reasonable. Fees are going up faster than personal income and new fees and charges are being added all of the time.

"While enrollment is up, costs have increased, resulting in crowded classes, waiting lists and increases in the cost and time it takes to get a degree," State Board of Education President Rod Lewis Lewis told legislative budget writers Monday. "Some might argue Idaho's fees were too low to begin with, but they certainly are not too low any longer."

Gov. Dirk Kempthorne's proposed budget for the state's four universities and colleges totals $237.7 million — however, that's less than $7.4 million than the schools wanted.

Only a tiny portion of the amount — $2.7 million — is earmarked to help keep student fees from climbing.

Idaho's undergraduate fees average $3,500 — more than Nevada, more than Utah and more than Wyoming. The state already has enough of a problem with students leaving to go to school elsewhere — and not coming back.

We need to make as strong a stand for education as we can — and back that commitment up with hard, cold cash.

If we don't, the cost may be more than we can handle in the not-too-distant future.

Caroline Lobsinger is the managing editor of the Daily Bee.