He says Pa. tuition rate could go up

THE CHANCELLOR for Pennsylvania's 14 state-owned universities told lawmakers that he cannot promise to freeze tuition rates, something Gov. Wolf wants in return for a significant funding increase.

Chancellor Frank Brogan said yesterday in testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee that the State System of Higher Education's board of governors, not Brogan, sets the tuition rate. But the board will not do that until its July meeting, after lawmakers are scheduled to adjourn for their summer recess.

"This board of governors doesn't like to increase tuition," he said under persistent questioning by Sen. Andy Dinniman, D-Chester.

Brogan said system officials want to "to see how this plays out" as legislators work to craft a state budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1.

About 112,000 students are enrolled at the universities that make up the system: Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester.