Bill authorizing tuition is a simple technicality

A rose is a rose, regardless of the name.

Just like "matriculation fees" are no different than "tuition," which is why a bill to legalize tuition seems a no-brainer.

Lawmakers in the House Education Committee sent a a bill allowing the state's public colleges and universities to charge tuition to the full House.

State law prohibits public schools from charging residents tuition. In 1986, lawmakers defined tuition as only the cost of instruction at colleges and universities.

That has left the state free to charge fees for everything from school maintenance to institutional support.

With college tuition rising on what seems a daily basis, university presidents say the bill will clarify where student fees are spent.

Because of technicalities, BSU President Bob Kustra told committee members that universities are forced to "shuffle around" money to meet expenses.

If the Legislature approves the bill, the Idaho State Board of Education would have authorization to see fees and tuition at Idaho State University, Boise State University and Lewis-Clark State College.

Unfortunately, the change is a technicality and doesn't address the state's obligation to better fund all levels of education.

That, however, will hopefully be an issue that state legislators will address and work to change in the near future.

Caroline Lobsinger is the managing editor of the Daily Bee.