June 26, 2014
State Representative Juan Candelaria, Chairman of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus (B&PRC), today expressed his disappointment at a tuition increase the University of Connecticut Board of Trustees unanimously voted on as part of their overall budget for next year.
The new budget includes a 6.5 percent tuition increase that will raise in-state tuition by more than $600 per year. Currently, students pay $9,256 and as of next year, the new tuition will go to $9,858.
“While I understand the reasoning behind the budget planning by UConn’s leaders, I have to disagree with their untimely execution to increase tuition rates at a time when middle class families continue to struggle to make ends meet, while trying to put their children through college,” Rep. Candelaria said.
Candelaria noted, “On one end we are encouraging students to pursue higher education and follow their dreams of becoming professionals, and on the other end, we are making it more difficult for them when tuition affordability keeps rising.”
“A 2012 Pew Research Center study showed more Hispanics and blacks enrolling in college, but a big gap in obtaining bachelor’s degrees,” Candelaria said. “We must try everything we can to change those indicators, and making college more affordable may be part of the answer.”