Spring Break
Murano talks about reasons for possible Fall 2009 tuition increase
Student Senate passes bills regarding freezing tuition, free newspapers
By: Melissa Appel
Issue date: 2/26/09 Section: News
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She mentioned that although reducing costs to students is always preferred, there are many factors involved in passing a bill regarding tuition.
"If at all possible, I would love it if we didn't raise tuition at all, but that would mean that the state would have to help us [more]," Murano said.
A bill addressed later in the evening stated freezing tuition was undesirable for A&M because it could put a strain on available funds for the University. Student Senate passed the bill with 51 votes for, four against and one abstaining.
"Texas A&M gets its revenue from two sources: state funding and tuition increases and tuition revenue," Breaux said. "If you freeze our tuition revenue, you have to come up with a way to have flexibility, and that comes from state funds. If there was a way to increase state funds, then we would be okay to giving control over to the state legislature, but we have to make sure we are all being provided for."
Murano gave the Senate an update on her intricate work in Austin during this 81st Session of the Texas Legislature.
"I've been to Austin already probably about six to eight times," Murano said. "It's necessary. We've got to be up there for a reason. The session is very brief - it's only five to six months of intense work, and there's a lot of work that we do behind the scenes in terms of meeting with members to carry your message of what we need to do for Texas A&M."
Murano reported on the status of several actions and bills she has been supporting in Austin. Right now, a formula used by the legislature to allocate funds to Texas land grant institutions has projected a $20 million increase in funds for A&M. Murano also requested $95 million to improve and update buildings on campus.
The legislature is considering adjusting the Competitive Knowledge Fund Policy. As stated, this policy provides $1 in faculty funding for every $10 earned by A&M in research grants. A bill is working its way through the legislature that would change the ratio to 4-to-1.
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