Lead Story

Legislative letters to Córdova indicate higher scrutiny for universities

As institutions of higher education come under greater scrutiny for dramatic tuition increases, one Indiana legislator likens dealing with institutions like Purdue to dealing with a child.

State Rep. Jeff Espich, R-Uniondale, is one of two legislators who penned personal letters to Purdue President France Córdova this year expressing opposition to any tuition increases for the 2009-2010 academic year.

In the letter, dated May 27, 2009, Espich wrote: “I must say that I am terribly bothered by the idea that any tuition increase is even under consideration, period. I would argue that instead of waiting for the General Assembly to set university budgets, our universities should be seeking creative ways to ensure that tuition rates will not increase and that a college education will remain affordable for Hoosier students.”