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Higher Education Coordinating Commission outlines review criteria for tuition increases above 5% as legislative session begins
Summary
Ben Cannon of the Higher Education Coordinating Commission told trustees the HEC will review any resident undergraduate tuition increase above 5% and outlined three criteria the commission will use in that review: an inclusive process, measures to protect access for underrepresented students, and demonstration of financial need.
Ben Cannon, representing the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission, briefed the Oregon State Board of Trustees on Jan. 17 about the HEC’s role in reviewing resident undergraduate tuition increases that exceed 5 percent and about the agency’s posture heading into the legislative session.
Cannon said state law requires HEC review and approval of any board‑adopted tuition increase greater than 5 percent for resident undergraduates. He summarized the commission’s three primary criteria for evaluating such requests: whether the university used an inclusive and transparent tuition‑setting process; whether the increase safeguards access and support for historically underrepresented students; and whether the university’s financial condition demonstrates a need for an increase above 5 percent.
Cannon added that the HEC leadership does not expect to receive a request for a greater‑than‑5 percent increase, and commission leaders prefer not to see tuition increases. He also said HEC will advocate administration’s budget priorities during the legislative session and will explain to legislators how current service‑level budgets may not cover institutional cost pressures.
Why this matters: Boards of public universities in Oregon must consider the HEC review when setting resident tuition above legal thresholds; the HEC’s criteria make process, equity and financial justification central to any case for a large increase.
What was not decided: The OSU board did not set tuition at this meeting. Trustees discussed tuition scenarios in committee, and no final tuition decision was recorded on Jan. 17.
Ending: HEC staff will expect detailed documentation if a request for a greater‑than‑5 percent resident undergraduate tuition increase is brought forward for review.
