In a possible preview of the debate on next year’s reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA), college and university leaders told Congress this month that federal regulations are partly to blame for the high cost of college.
“Compliance with federal regulations invariably carries a price tag, and the funds to comply with these regulations come largely from tuition,” said Gordon Gee, president of Ohio State University, representing the American Council on Education and 17 other higher education groups.
Gee cited broader access for disabled students and more women’s athletic programs as examples of “worthwhile” social policy objectives that nonetheless can cause extra costs for colleges. “The issue is that there is no free lunch,” Gee said.
The remarks to the House Postsecondary Education Subcommittee drew interest from Republican leaders on the committee, who frequently criticize the vast educational bureaucracy. The panel asked Gee and other witnesses to identify burdensome rules and regulations for possible congressional action.
