Trustees for the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities will consider freezing tuition for the first half of the upcoming school year.
Chancellor Devinder Malhotra is recommending a tuition freeze for the fall semester, followed by a 3 percent increase in spring. He proposes covering much of the lost revenue by temporarily stopping the purchase of instructional equipment.
“This would provide relief to students for fall semester but would allow full implementation of the budgets in line with long-term considerations,” according to materials for Wednesday’s board meeting.
The coronavirus pandemic has made it difficult for colleges to predict enrollment for the upcoming year, but an overall decline seems certain.
The Minnesota State system’s 30 public colleges expect enrollment to drop by 9.1 percent on average this fall, and its seven universities anticipate a 5.6 percent decline.
“Reasons include hesitance regarding online class alternatives, concerns about changes in hands-on lab class options, and modifications to housing options as well as social and sporting opportunities,” according to meeting materials.
“Some students have mentioned taking a gap year or at least a gap semester until colleges and universities can return to a more traditional learning environment.”
In addition to postponing college, the pandemic has resulted in more students looking to attend college closer to home.
The Minnesota State system wants to take advantage of that trend. It announced last week that out-of-state students now can transfer in with a streamlined application process and a guarantee that any credits earned with a C or better will be accepted.