The University of Hawaii Board of Regents deferred action Thursday on a proposal that would reduce already approved tuition rates at the system’s 10 campuses — and keep those fees steady for the next several years.
After a robust discussion, Chairwoman Lee Putnam requested that the administration take the feedback received into consideration and return to the board at a future meeting.
The administration had proposed decreases in the approved tuition rates for 2019–2020, to be followed by a three-year freeze in rates.
Comments and questions expressed by regents were wide-ranging, including economic uncertainties, declining college-age populations nationwide, aging facilities and other university needs, inflationary trends, and the amount of revenue the university might lose by adopting the proposed tuition schedule.
Additionally, there were comments and suggestions about specific elements of the proposal, including the proposed decreases in resident tuition rates, decreases in nonresident tuition rates, and the length of the freeze proposed.
University leadership was asked to consider how to balance these concerns with the original objectives of ensuring affordability for Hawaii residents and increasing competitiveness for nonresident students.
The Board of Regents could possibly revisit the matter in the coming months.