Toward that end, the draft calls on the four-year institutions to foot the bill for building or renovating ``auxiliary'' facilities: dorms, parking garages, student services centers and athletic buildings. But it leaves that burden on the state government for the two year community and technical colleges, reasoning that they ``typically are limited and inextricably linked to education and general facilities.''
Lawmakers have gradually granted these two-year schools independence, as most had been off-shoots of four-year institutions. The draft advises that the Legislature subsidize their base budgets until they pay off any pending bond debts. But in exchange, these schools should cut tuition accordingly, it recommends.
The report also includes proposals for discouraging tuition hikes at four-year schools, such as by allowing them to increase a recommended cap on capital spending if they charge students rates below that of peers. Lawmakers appear receptive to such steps to limit the burden on students.
``We get an 'F' in affordability, and this is the point that explains that,'' said Senate Education Chairman Robert Plymale, D-Wayne.
Higher education officials expect to present a final report to legislators during their monthly interim meetings that precede the 60-day regular session, which starts in February.
West Virginia has 10 public four-year institutions, including six designated as universities, and a school of osteopathic medicine. The recently created Community and Technical College System features 10, two-year schools.
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