<p>I think that Bernie Machen and Eric Barron’s proposal to increase tuition for STEM degrees was done with full knowledge that it would be publicly refused. I think that they intentionally floated this as a sacrificial lamb to give Gov. Scott the opportunity to appear to “crack down” on college costs without actually doing any real damage.</p>
<p>Now that Scott has had this little political victory with the public he will have less motivation to push even harder for further funding cuts. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if this was choreographed in advanced by all parties involved. If true, nice work (in a Machiavellian sort of way).</p>
<p>I do agree that tuition increases (nationwide) are getting out of control, but you can’t fix it by addressing it in one state alone. Big budget cuts in one state will simply result in a faculty/talent exodus to another state. I really think that some kind of federal legislation is ultimately going to be needed to calm the arms race going on between universities. No state can address this in a vacuum without hurting their universities.</p>