GLENVILLE, W.Va. — Glenville State’s new President has a message to parents and students: he knows college tuition prices are too high.
“We’re going to promise all the parents and students in West Virginia that we’re dedicated to creating the best values,” Dr. Tracy Pellett said Thursday on MetroNews “Talkline” with Hoppy Kercheval. “That means making it affordable, but focusing on quality for this region and more importantly this state.”
Dr. Pellett announced Thursday morning from The Waco Center in Glenville a symbolic tuition decrease of one dollar. The key word, Dr. Pellett said, is symbolic.
“We’re going to refinance our mortgage, and we’re going to use that money to hold the line,” he said.
While it may seem like a token offer to students, the recently adopted state budget includes $16 million in cuts to higher education in West Virginia. That may potentially prompt tuition increases at public universities in the state, which is why Dr. Pellett said Glenville State is drawing a figurative line in the sand.
“Nothing is more a part of the American Dream than going to college,” he said. “Frankly, slashing public college budgets cuts into these dreams that we have for the kids. We’re pricing college out of the reach for kids.”
“I never thought I’d get to the point in my career–and I’ve been in higher Ed for 25 plus years–when good kids that are hard working, frankly that get good grades, can’t afford college.”
For an in-state student, a year at Glenville State would cost $17,386 for tuition, fees, room and board. An out-of-state student would pay $26,642 for a single year.
“[At] Glenville State, we serve a very unique student,” Dr. Pellett said. “Here’s what it is. These are the students, frankly, I want to be around. They are first-generation. They are the needs-based kids. These are students that are high achievers, but they need an opportunity.”
According to collegecalc.org, Glenville State has the 4th most affordable in-state tuition in West Virginia.
Dr. Pellett took office at the start of June.