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Editorial: Tuition increases unpopular, but necessary for Eastern
Editorial board
Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: Opinions
"Fiscal responsibility."
At some point, you have heard the phrase applied to your college life from relatives and professors, but the meaning doesn't really sink in until you find yourself diving head first into the world of finances and bills that come with college.
Pile all that on top of student loans and tuition and it seems nearly impossible to have any money to spend on yourself.
You're urged to create budgets to better allocate your funds so you don't go bankrupt by sophomore year.
Just as you are urged to watch your money and spend carefully, so is Eastern.
The Board of Trustees approved a $21 per credit hour increase on incoming students' tuition Monday.
A tuition increase from $218 per hour to $239 per hour doesn't seem like much, but it adds up in the long run.
For students currently enrolled, this doesn't mean anything, as the Truth in Tuition Act maintains that they pay the same rate as when they entered college.
But it means more money for freshmen entering Eastern in Fall 2009.
Tuition increases are among the most unholy phrases that can send a student into a state of panic, prompting fear and outrage that the university would dare ask for more money.
After all, haven't you given enough? Aren't those tens of thousands of dollars - money you will most likely be paying back until you're middle-aged - good enough for Eastern?
The truth is, it isn't. Look around you. Today's economic climate, as we all know, is in dire straits.
This causes state universities to increase fees in order to maintain a steady budget, allowing them to continue allocating funds to their respective departments. That includes Eastern.
On top of an ailing economy, Eastern strives to maintain a high standard of living for its students, so resident halls, dining halls and everything in between must be kept in good condition.
And what about faculty and staff? If the university doesn't have enough money to pay its workers, it will be forced to resort to layoffs, a situation no one ever wants to see.
Tuition increases are unpopular and a hassle, but they're necessary if any university wishes to give students, faculty and workers the best academic atmosphere possible.
Editorial Policy
The editorial is the majority opinion of The DEN editorial board. Reach the opinions editor at DENopinions@gmail.com.
At some point, you have heard the phrase applied to your college life from relatives and professors, but the meaning doesn't really sink in until you find yourself diving head first into the world of finances and bills that come with college.
Pile all that on top of student loans and tuition and it seems nearly impossible to have any money to spend on yourself.
You're urged to create budgets to better allocate your funds so you don't go bankrupt by sophomore year.
Just as you are urged to watch your money and spend carefully, so is Eastern.
The Board of Trustees approved a $21 per credit hour increase on incoming students' tuition Monday.
A tuition increase from $218 per hour to $239 per hour doesn't seem like much, but it adds up in the long run.
For students currently enrolled, this doesn't mean anything, as the Truth in Tuition Act maintains that they pay the same rate as when they entered college.
But it means more money for freshmen entering Eastern in Fall 2009.
Tuition increases are among the most unholy phrases that can send a student into a state of panic, prompting fear and outrage that the university would dare ask for more money.
After all, haven't you given enough? Aren't those tens of thousands of dollars - money you will most likely be paying back until you're middle-aged - good enough for Eastern?
The truth is, it isn't. Look around you. Today's economic climate, as we all know, is in dire straits.
This causes state universities to increase fees in order to maintain a steady budget, allowing them to continue allocating funds to their respective departments. That includes Eastern.
On top of an ailing economy, Eastern strives to maintain a high standard of living for its students, so resident halls, dining halls and everything in between must be kept in good condition.
And what about faculty and staff? If the university doesn't have enough money to pay its workers, it will be forced to resort to layoffs, a situation no one ever wants to see.
Tuition increases are unpopular and a hassle, but they're necessary if any university wishes to give students, faculty and workers the best academic atmosphere possible.
Editorial Policy
The editorial is the majority opinion of The DEN editorial board. Reach the opinions editor at DENopinions@gmail.com.
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