For students choosing a college to attend, tuition is one of the largest factors. For some, money is the most important element to consider. But tuition rates aren’t guaranteed, so what happens when a student’s college raises their tuition before they’ve finished school?
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Lasell College has raised tuition the last two years in a row: a change that has made many undergrads very unhappy. As costs of running a college rise (tax rates, electricity, etc,) a college has every right to raise their prices to match those expenses, but maybe not for everyone. I have a proposal. Whatever you pay for tuition and room and board freshman year should stay the same throughout your four years until graduation. Each year tuition should be set- raised, if need be- for the next incoming class and that is what they will pay for their four years, and so on and so forth.
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Lasell’s reasons for tuition increases stem from the new facilities being built and renovated and tuition was raised for everyone. But upperclassmen won’t even be attending the college anymore once those buildings are finished, so they’ll never experience them. Is it fair for those students to be paying for these facilities that they will never use? If future alumni wanted to give money to help improve the school for other students that is one thing, but current students aren’t in the business of donating (yet).
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As student’s money is being spent towards renovations, maintenance, or costly decisions, those students should have a voice. Undergrads should be able to be part of the decision making process of what their money is going towards. This could be done through the college’s version of “town meetings” or by voting on ballots.
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Students attend colleges with the knowledge of a specific price tag, and the budget to support it. More thought and care should be put into the effects of raising tuition and who should be included. If a student expects to pay a certain amount they shouldn’t have to worry about a different number in years to come.
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