Today, Partners for College Affordability and Public Trust released the following statement in response to the decision by Old Dominion University's Board of Visitors to approve a zero percent increase in in-state tuition and mandatory E&G fees for the 2019-2020 academic year in response to new state funding allocated by the General Assembly for tuition moderation.

Ahead of today's meeting, the Board of Visitors held a public comment period to allow students to weigh in on the decision. A new state law requiring public colleges and university to hold public comment periods ahead of tuition decisions does not go into effect until July. Other institutions that have held similar public comment periods this spring include, Virginia Commonwealth University, George Mason University, James Madison University, and the College of William & Mary. 

"As an Old Dominion alumnus who served on the ODU board as a student representative, I'm particularly proud of the actions taken today," said Partners' president Dr. James Toscano."Not only has ODU accepted state lawmakers' offer to freeze tuition,they also made it a priority to hear from affected students before making a final decision, without any current requirement to do so.

"The growing list of state universities that have frozen tuition this year was only made possible thanks to state lawmakers and institutional leaders working in tandem to increase affordability for hardworking Virginia students and families. While a one-year tuition freeze is no small feat, we must now turn our attention to more long-term solutions."