After a two-yearlong tuition freeze, the ice has melted and tempers could flare as students might see higher tuition costs starting the upcoming spring semester.
With an approving vote from the University Board of Trustees Oct 2., full-time undergraduate students could see an increase of 3.5 percent, or $159 dollars a semester, added to their tuition bills, according to e-mail President Carol Cartwright sent yesterday to the student body. The cost for a full-time student at the Firelands campus would be $78.
‘This was a difficult decision that was not taken lightly,’ Cartwright wrote in the e-mail.
‘I understand the economic hardships facing many of our students and families. We are committed to doing our best to ensure that a BGSU education remains affordable,’ she added.
Some are already feeling the financial burden.
‘I feel it’s wrong,’ freshman Donte Edwards said. ‘It’s difficult enough for people to pay for tuition at the start, but for them to increase it in the middle of the school year … I can understand how it will affect people.’
And some are furious with the decision.
‘That’s not fair because it’s high enough as it is,’ junior Blake Spallino said. ‘They should include a lot of stuff in tuition that they don’t, like books or parking.’
Due to a massive reduction in the State Share of Instruction (the major funding entity for higher education in the state), Ohio approved legislation stating all colleges and universities could raise tuition prices to a maximum of 3.5 percent for the fall, according to the University’s Chief Financial Officer Sherideen Stoll.
The University acquired $88.1 million from the SSI this year, and is projected to receive an increase of 1.5 percent for next year. Last year, the University received a 9.5 percent increase from SSI, a drastic decrease in a 12-month span.
According to Stoll, almost all Ohio schools have raised tuition rates for the upcoming year. From Owens Community College to the University of Toledo, most Ohio schools are in the same financial boat.
A decision on raising tuition for the 2010-11 year has not yet been announced. An additional raise will depend largely on the next budget, but Stoll is preparing for another cut in SSI for next year.
‘I hate it. I hate having to do this,’ Stoll said. ‘We’re facing very significant reductions from the state and are going through one of the toughest economic downturns in my lifetime.’
Faculty members are also supportive of students in this situation.
‘It’s unfortunate students are going to be forced to pay more,’ said David Jackson, president of the BGSU Faculty Association.
Jackson also said the problem the administration currently has is they are vague in their use of the words ‘reorganization’ and ‘expense reductions.’ (Cartwright used both words in her e-mail.) Jackson said it is not fair that the cuts, increased tuition and the recent faculty pay freeze sprung without ample warning.
But with all these increased costs, the administration agrees the ends will justify the means.
Senior Director of Communications Dave Kielmeyer said if a student can come up with the extra money now, it will pay great dividends in the future.
‘If you look at the studies, a college education is worth it in the long run,’ Kielmeyer said. ‘Certainly it’s a financial burden now, but it will pay off for you in the long term.’
Editor’s note: Managing Editor Kate Snyder contributed additional reporting to this article.
