What’s churning:
The Colorado State University Board of Governors on Wednesday set the system’s budget for 2012-13, including 9 percent increases for resident undergraduate students at Fort Collins and 11.7 percent at CSU-Pueblo.
Tuition for out-of-state undergrads at both campuses will increase 3 percent, and graduate rates at Fort Collins will rise by 5 percent. (Get details in this news release.)
The CSU budget also includes the first faculty and staff raises in four years.
The CU Regents recently approved tuition hikes in the neighborhood of 5 percent for its campuses (see story), and the state community college system is imposing a 6.5 percent increase (see story). Check here for information about other campuses.
State colleges and universities are allowed to increase resident undergrad tuition by up to 9 percent a year and can seek Colorado Commission on Higher Education approval for larger increases. Many institutions have flexible authority to raise rates based on various levels of state support. The legislature was able to hold cuts in 2012-13 state support of higher education at a level lower than had been feared.
Tuition rates vary by institution based on different needs and financial resources. The steady increases of recent years have been offset for some students because colleges have used some of the new revenues to beef up financial aid programs.
A new children’s advocacy group, Seniors4Kids, was launched Wednesday with a rally outside the state Capitol. The effort is an initiative of Generations United, a national group that advocates for intergenerational cooperation.
According to a news release, Colorado Seniors4Kids “will raise the voices of Coloradans age 50 and older in support of policies and programs that help children thrive. A statewide network of grassroots volunteers, called Captains4Kids, will work to increase investments in quality early care, education, and health care. The initiative will expand awareness about the need to protect vulnerable children in a fragile economy and educate Coloradans about the powerful role older adults can play in advocating for youth.” Find out more about the new group here.
Three Colorado students are among the 2012 presidential scholars announced by the U.S. Department of Education. They are Cissy Chen of Fairview High School and Sophie Harrington of Boulder High in Boulder and Tong Yin of Cherry Creek High School. Some 141 high school seniors nationwide were honored.
Recipients of the annual awards are selected based on SAT and ACT scores and through nominations made by state education commissioners or the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts.
What’s on tap today:
Jefferson County school board members meet at 5 p.m. for a study session and at 6 p.m. for their regular monthly meeting, held at 1829 Denver West Drive in Golden. The agenda includes a proposal to change the name of Alameda High School to Alameda International High School, because of the school’s International Baccalaureate program, and a public hearing on the proposed 2012-13 budget.
Good reads from elsewhere:
Online ed for all: An expanded Florida Virtual School program will include online offerings for students as young as kindergarten age, according to this report on Tallahassee.com.
Bill targets seniority: A bill headed to the governor’s desk in Minnesota would base teacher layoffs on performance, not seniority. Get the details on TwinCities.com.
The EdNews’ Churn is a daily roundup of briefs, notes and meetings in the world of Colorado education. To submit an item for consideration in this listing, please email us at EdNews@EdNewsColorado.org.