College affordability bills now in Senate

After clearing the House of Delegates, two bills aimed at making college more affordable in Virginia have now moved to the Senate.

January 30, 2015; 6:00 AM • by Capital News Service

By Stefani Zenteno Rivadineira

After clearing the House of Delegates, two bills aimed at making college more affordable in Virginia have now moved to the Senate.

The bills, both sponsored by House Majority Leader Kirk Cox of Colonial Heights, received unanimous approval from delegates on Friday.

House Bill 1895 would give small- and medium-sized public institutions of higher education in Virginia more flexibility in areas such as information technology, procurement, and capital projects. HB 1897 would put a cap on the athletic fees that colleges and universities can charge students.

Capping athletic fees would generate meaningful cost savings for students and their families, Cox said. “As a former basketball and baseball coach, I understand the value of athletic programs, but I also see the skyrocketing amount of student debt taken on by today’s college students,” he said.

Del. Jimmie Massie, R-Henrico, said students also would benefit if small and medium-sized schools receive additional authority over their spending and operations. “This is flexibility we already have given our larger schools, and they have proven its value in holding down costs. House Bill 1895 would allow some of the same flexibility we now give to Level III schools to Level II schools,” he said. “Letting Virginia universities cut wasteful spending so they can hold down tuition costs is another step to best prepare our university graduates for the 21st century job market and expand economic growth in our commonwealth for years to come.”