OPINION | NOVEMBER 30, 2005

Editorial/Our View
Fee For All
Proposed flat-rate system seems overinflated, lacking in benefits

The university administration may consider a flat-rate tuition that will increase in-state tuition significantly. If the Tuition Review Committee decides to accept the proposal, it will be sent to President James Spaniolo by Monday for approval. The proposal shouldn’t be approved because it will increase tuition, students won’t know where the fees they’re paying are going and student voice on the topic will become limited.

Currently, students are charged per credit hour and additional fees are added afterward. With the flat-rate system, additional fees would already be included in the amount per credit hour. The tuition is increased with each credit hour but is capped at $3,410 for 14 hours and above.

Students want to be able to see exactly where their money is going at all times. With the approval of the system, students will lose much of that power.

If a student were to take 15 hours, the cost under the flat-rate system would be $3,410 with fees, as opposed to an approximate $2,781 without fees now. Even though fees are currently added to tuition, at least students know where they’re being applied.

Average full-time students wouldn’t save money even with the cap. An increase of about $629 in one semester is too much. If the university plans on raising tuition, it should do so over time rather than take an arm and a leg all at once.

Under the current system, students know how much each credit hour will cost on its own without the additional fees and can see what the additional fees are. With the flat-rate system, additional fees are part of each credit hour and increase until capped. With these additional fees already added, how will students know what they’re paying for, why they’re paying for it and when it increases? The university will have more control over the fees and can do with them what they please without the majority of students knowing.

The Student Fee Oversight Committee and the Tuition Review Committee deal with tuition and fees. But, under the new system, the two committees would become one central committee. Students could also have less say in tuition matters, depending on whom the new committee is composed of. If students aren’t able to voice their opposition to increased tuition, then it may continue to increase because university officials won’t hear any complaints.

Moving to a flat-rate tuition system would not benefit the university and should not be approved.

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