Today, Partners for College Affordability and Public Trust released the following statement by their State Advocacy Manager, Stacie Gordon, in response to a decision made by Christopher Newport University's Board of Visitors to adopt a guaranteed tuition rate for students.

"While increasing financial predictability and pricing transparency for students and families is commendable, the decision by Christopher Newport University's Board of Visitors to adopt a guaranteed tuition rate for students does little more than create a lackluster distraction from the underlying affordability issue at Virginia's most expensive public institution.

"Let's not forget that at $22,770, CNU's average net price is the highest among Virginia's public institutions, while in-state tuition and fees have increased by 95 percent over the past decade.

"Just last year, CNU raised their tuition and fees by 8.1 percent, the highest increase in the state.  Under the CNU Guarantee, tuition and fees for first-year students will increase by $3,472 over the next four years.

"The CNU Guarantee may provide students and families a degree of predictability, but predictability is not the same thing as affordability.

"By shifting rising costs onto the backs of incoming students, this decision may serve to keep existing students complacent, but misses the mark when it comes to promoting true affordability."

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