Tuition increases now, but state must reverse downward spiral of higher-ed funding - Niel McReynolds, Seattle Times

But we are at a crossroads. At Eastern we have already cut administrative staff, eliminated positions, increased class sizes, consolidated the colleges within the university from six to four and cut low-priority programs and degrees. If this budget crisis continues, the "cost" of further reductions to higher education will be even more devastating. Additional cuts to the small base of state support will adversely impact educational quality and the ability of all universities to attract and retain quality faculty. More cuts will limit our ability to maintain our aging residence halls and other facilities. More than anything, students and their families will find it increasingly difficult to absorb double-digit tuition increases. This is why I am so concerned about the future of higher education in this state and what it will mean for our economy in the long term