The rising cost of college and the growing burden of student debt are nationwide problems.  Congress is looking for solutions and some higher education leaders from Indiana are trying to help.  There were two hearings on the cost of college on Capitol Hill in the last two days, one in a House subcommittee and the other in a Senate committee.  In both cases, someone from Indiana was there to help sound the alarm.

College tuition in Indiana has nearly doubled over the last decade while personal income has grown by just 27%.  It’s a problem recognized by college administrators including Ivy Tech President Tom Snyder, who testified before that Senate committee today.  “Affordability is today’s most important question.” said Snyder.  “The cost in this segment of society has far outstripped not only inflation, but the income growth of most Americans.”

The growing cost of an Indiana college degree was also a topic yesterday in the House subcommittee where the message was delivered by Teresa Lubbers, the state’s higher education commissioner.  “Hoosier students borrow an average of $27,000 to finance a college degree,” said Lubbers, “and Indiana’s student loan default rate has increased by 35% over the past three years.”

Also there was Stan Jones, the man who preceded Lubbers as higher education commissioner before going on to found Complete College America, a nonprofit organization devoted to increasing the number of Americans with college degrees.  Jones, however, pointed a finger at students.  “We have to talk also about the price of failure,” said Jones, “about students who don’t graduate and students who take too long.”

Part of the message is that colleges are trying to help with things like online courses, summer school tuition breaks, and classes for high school students.  “Dual credit students now exceed 25,000 students,” said Snyder, “saving parents more than $12 million in tuition costs because of taking courses in high school.”  But the point of the hearings is that more needs to be done.

Ball State is the latest state university to react to concerns over rising tuition.   A Ball State degree costs about $35,000 dollars for a traditional student and that won’t change.  But the majority of Ball State students can now pay less if they take advantage of new incentives.

Only a third of Ball State students graduate in four calendar years.  Half of them fail to get the job done in six years.  “It’s hard for us to finish all of our credits on time,” says senior Amber Pope, “and finish in four years.”  New tuition breaks are designed to change those statistics.

“What we want to do is incentivize students to graduate in 4 years or less,” said President Joann Gora.

That includes a $500 scholarship if a student graduates in four years.  Tuition for summer school will be cut by 18%.  “Students will definitely take advantage of that,” says student Billy Remeika, “and I think it will be beneficial.”

Most majors will have a new requirement of 120 credits, down from 126.  “About 85 percent of our students could take advantage of the lowered credit hours,” says BSU vice president Randy Howard.  And students who take 12 credit hours on campus will have the ability to take online classes free.

Ball State administrators say a typical student could save $6,000 under the new plan.  One who takes advantage of all of the options could save close to to $10,000.

Both the governor and the state commissioner of higher education endorsed the the new plan but will continue to keep an eye on tution rates. “Indiana ranks 3rd in the nation on the default loan rate for student loans,” says Commissioner Teresa Lubbers, “and so we remain concerned about this.”

The new incentives take effect next summer.  The plan is meant not only to help students, but also to make better use of Ball State facilities, particularly over the summer.  Ball State’s action comes on the heels of new tuition breaks at most state universities.  The key exception is Purdue.

Governor Mitch Daniels signed new teacher licensing requirements into law this morning.

They mandate that teachers in grades 5 through 12 have degrees in the area they will teach (math, science, English, etc.) and not in education.  They take effect in July.

Daniels says the move is an important element of education reform and the result should be better student performance.  He was joined at the bill signing by state Superintendent Tony Bennett and Higher Education Commission Teresa Lubbers.

Republican Scott Schneider’s election tonight to replace Teresa Lubbers in the seat she vacated in the state Senate is a victory for the far right.

He joins a growing list of right wingers to replace moderate Republicans in the state Senate in recent years.  Mike Delph took over for Murray Clark, Greg Walker took over for Bob Garton, Brent Waltz replaced Larry Borst… you get the idea.

The Republicans hold a 33-to-17 majority in the Senate and will lose it, in all likliehood, only if they become too extreme.  They are headed that direction.

The race to replace Teresa Lubbers in the state Senate is on hold.  Look for Lubbers to serve until the end of the Special Session giving prospective successors more time to woo the precinct committeemen who will make the selection.

Former Representative John Ruckelshaus is definitely in, meantime, and businessman Chris Douglas just sent a letter out expressing his desire to serve.

Put former state Representative John Ruckelshaus on the list of Republicans considering a run to replace Teresa Lubbers in the state Senate.

Republicans are already buzzing about the possibilities in state Senate District 30,  the district now served by Teresa Lubbers.

As Leslie Olsen first reported here on wishtv.com, Lubbers is in line to take over the  top job at the Higher Education Commission, a move that would create a vacancy in her Senate seat.

The list of potentail replacements includes state Representative Cindy Noe, City County Councillor Ryan Vaughn (he confirms interest), former BMV chief Ron Stiver, and former Steve Goldsmith aide Anne Shane.  

Lubbers won re-election to a four year term just last year.  Republican precinct committeemen will pick the replacement.