Governor Punishes Virginia Commonwealth for Tuition Increase

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell announced Friday that he will hold back state funds for Virginia Commonwealth University equivalent to half of the revenue to be gained from a 24 percent tuition increase, The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported. McDonnell said that the tuition increase -- the largest among the state's public colleges and universities -- was too large at a time of tight budgets for many families. But university officials noted that tuition rates at VCU are lower than state averages, and that the university budget needed to offset the loss of federal stimulus funds.