A July 18 editorial called upon state colleges to keep tuition affordable, citing in particular decisions made by the College of Charleston and The Citadel to raise tuition by 14.75 and 13 percent, respectively. A noble sentiment to be sure, but the editorial failed to offer a better solution for the budget crises these institutions are facing.
In public higher education, there are three main sources for operating revenues: direct support from the taxpayers, gifts from private benefactors and tuition. In South Carolina, many public institutions are now “public in name only,” as direct support from the taxpayers of the state has decreased steadily over the past few decades and is now close to disappearing.
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/jul/28/letters-to-the-editor/