Assigned to ED FOR
COMMITTEE
Assigned to ED FOR
COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Third Legislature, Second Regular Session
universities; tuition and fees
Purpose
Modifies statute regarding university tuition and fees.
Background
The Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) is the governing board for Arizona's three public universities: Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and University of Arizona. One of ABOR's duties includes fixing tuition and fees to be charged and differentiated between institutions and between residents, nonresidents, undergraduate students, graduate students, students from foreign countries and students who have earned credit hours in excess of the credit hour threshold.
Statute requires ABOR to adopt rules that govern its tuition and fee setting process that include the following: 1) at least one public hearing at each university; 2) publication of the notice of public hearing at least 10 days before the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the appropriate counties; 3) public disclosure by each university of any proposed increase in tuition or fees at least 10 days before the public hearing; and 4) final board action on tuition and fees shall be taken by roll call vote. Fees set by individual universities that do not require ABOR approval are exempt from these procedural requirements (A.R.S. § 15-1626).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires all fee increases set by individual universities to receive approval from ABOR following the procedures currently outlined in statute.
2. Requires ABOR to differentiate between residents and nonresidents for online programs when fixing tuition and fees.
3. Prohibits universities from using tuition or fee revenue to fund or support a separate foundation or nonprofit organization.
4. Makes technical and conforming changes.
5. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 13, 2018
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