OUR VIEW: Colleges have to think lean to keep students

» While there are some signs of economic recovery, recently released figures show that some essentials are still hard to come by

Last week, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia said the average annual in-state tuition at Virginia’s 15 four-year schools is $7,984, up 5.3 percent from 2008-09.

Those numbers shouldn’t be surprising, as the state had to cut funding for colleges by about five percent due to budget shortfalls — thus the public must make up the difference.

While any increase in these troubling economic times is distressing, the increase was less percentage-wise that in past years. The annual increase had been averaging about seven percent in recent years.

We should point out that the economic stimulus funds also helped offset the rising costs. That’s a pool of money we can’t depend on forever.

The key to future economic success is affordable quality education. Keeping the brightest minds at home in Virginia means a skilled workforce. That pool of bright workers will continue to lure business and industry and will create jobs here.

With that in mind, we would like to encourage colleges to continue to think lean and do their part in keeping costs down, so that everyone who chooses can get the education they desire.

Our economic future depends on it.

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Whether you are a believer in President Obama’s health care reform or not, last week’s U.S. Census Bureau report that said that 15.5 percent of Virginians and 18.2 percent of Culpeper County residents do not have health coverage is a bit alarming.

The percentages in neighboring counties are all higher than the state average as well — the lowest being Orange (16.1) and the highest being Rappahannock (24.3).

What does that mean?

It means that a lot of people are on their own when it comes to medical care. Sure, some may choose that route, but for many it is just a luxury that they can’t afford.

The numbers again underscore that there is a need for an option for this growing faction in our community.