New Govenor, Same Problem

Looks like O'Malley is trying not to be looked at as a socialist.

O'Malley has stopped short of endorsing the need for a mandated long-term funding source; but to cap tuition, the university does require a source of funding to cover its operating costs, such as salary increases for employees, utility bills and caring for the campus' computer networks, said system chancellor Brit Kirwan.

Since the university's primary sources of revenue are tuition and state funding, the state money that is earmarked for the university would have to increase enough to fund those operating costs. Then tuition could be capped and set to increase at the rate of inflation, Kirwan said.

Wylie said a tuition cap "could be quite positive, but of course we need the state to step in and provide the support so the quality of the university is not eroded."

Kirwan said with strong tax revenues bolstering the state's financial stability, most in the system were optimistic about future funding.

"Given that we have a good economy, I have a lot of confidence that we're going to be able to keep tuition moderate, increases moderate, because of both his commitment to do so but also the ability to invest state funds in higher education," Kirwan said.

Capping tuition is not going to be enough to manage the rising cost of college education. Even if he impliments his plan, college affordablity in Maryland will still recieve an F. Unless he wants to cut tuition in half in addition to the cap, I got three words for you. Free College Education

Reporting from McKeldin Mall, this is Ndubuisi Okeh from MDP.