Senator Kissel Reacts to Proposed Community College Tuition Rate Hikes

Hartford–State Senator John A. Kissel (R-Enfield) today reacted to the news that the Board of Regents is planning to raise tuition for students taking more than 12 credit hours at the state’s community colleges.

“The state absolutely cannot continue to reach into the pockets of our young people to balance budgets,” said Senator Kissel. “Community colleges like Asnuntuck in my district are designed around the concept of providing a cost effective education to allow local students to advance their careers. So, continuing to raise the price of that education defeats the purpose of community colleges. These hikes happen in bad budget years and good budget years.

“Furthermore, the way this hike is structured, it is clear that the Board of Regents wants the hike to fall mainly on full-time students,” Senator Kissel continued. “Graduating on time is hard and stressful enough as it is, and now the Board of Regents wants to add a major financial disincentive? Punishing good students who are pursuing a full-time course load is bad public policy. We should be encouraging them.”