Editor:
This year, the Utah State Legislature enacted House Bill 331, which will essentially double the time it takes for out of state students to gain in-state residency. In the law school, for instance, this means that those who came here anticipating resident tuition fees next year may end up paying an additional $10,000 to remain.
I’m unaware of the difference in resident and non-resident tuition for undergrads, but it must also be significant, and the misleading principle behind the whole deal is entirely problematic.
HB331 was apparently enacted to help deal with financial shortfalls in next year’s budget.
Unfortunately, if signed by Gov. Leavitt, the state will have lured thousands of out of-state students to Utah on a promise of a one-year wait for residency, only to leave them holding the hat for thousands of dollars more next year because Utah will now require them to wait two.
How can the U, already a very culturally homogenous environment, enhance its diversity base if it tells out of state students it will take them more than two years to gain residency? Many students, without this incentive, will likely stay away.
One potential compromise? If the governor vetoes the bill, the Legislature could call a special session to amend the bill.
Maybe if the state could at least “grandfather” in existing out-of- state students as residents, then some fairness could be achieved. This compromise could retain current students and at least make good on the deal they thought they would receive when they came.
Just an idea?Please write your letters to [email protected]!!!
Jonathan G. Jemming, First-year Law Student