GOP slams nat'l college cost study

The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) -- A commission investigating rising college costs was criticized yesterday by the Republican lawmakers who created it for suggesting the problem is smaller than most people believe. "Any suggestion that we don't have a crisis flies in the face of common sense," said Rep. Bill Goodling (R-Pa.), chairperson of the House Education and Workforce Committee. Goodling and Rep. Howard "Buck" McKeon (R-Calif.) issued a joint statement two days before the National Commission on the Cost of Higher Education is to meet and work on its final report. McKeon, chairperson of the subcommittee in charge of higher education, had wanted the commission's recommendations to help rewrite laws governing federal aid to colleges. He had been expecting proposals to control the rising cost of a higher education. But the 11-member commission, consisting largely of college presidents and chancellors, appeared inclined to take only modest steps. Although a report has not been issued, members have indicated that they want to highlight positive news about the cost of education. Although tuition has outpaced inflation, prices have moderated, the panelists have noted. The variety of colleges gives a price range to choose from. Although education is expensive, the investment leads to better-paying jobs. The panel was also expected to recommend that Congress require colleges and universities to release more information on tuition, faculty salaries and spending on buildings, equipment and other capital needs. Terry Hartle, a vice president of the American Council on Education, which represents higher education groups, said the commission appeared to be headed toward a balanced look at a very complicated issue. "The good news is that college is more affordable than many people think," he said. "The bad news is that the public has a very inaccurate impression of what college costs, and that college costs have been going up for a long period of time faster than consumer prices." Goodling, the House committee chairperson, said the panel debated whether there is a cost crisis rather than investigating the higher costs of education. "Yes, costs have somewhat stabilized," he said. "And yes, a college education remains one of the very best investments a family can make. But tuition increases continue to outpace inflation and tuition has risen by 9 percent in the last three years alone. We also know that if these increases continue, the cost of college education will very soon be beyond the reach of most Americans."