Syracuse University’s 3–3.6 percent tuition increase for the next semester will affect all students on campus, which is why the executive committee should have a student representative for such proposals.

On March 6, the Board of Trustees’ executive committee proposed and approved the tuition increase, which ranges from 3–3.6 percent. With SU’s average tuition costs being $40,380, according to the university’s website, the range of increases goes from about $1,211–1,453. This is approximately the same amount as the 2012 increase, when SU raised tuition by about 3.6 percent for the 2012-2013 academic year.

Since students are the ones paying for tuition, there should have been a student representative on the committee to ensure the tuition increases are in the students’ best interests. It is good that Chancellor Kent Syverud and Kevin Quinn, vice president for public affairs at SU, want student input for future tuition increases, but there should have been a student on this committee for the increase.

A student’s voice is necessary on this committee. Someone who is on campus and in classrooms on a daily basis is able to provide input and perspective that a member of the Board of Trustees would not have. It is important for a student to be involved with the planning behind increasing tuition because, ultimately, they are the ones who will have to pay for it.

Without representation, the entire student body is required to pay more for tuition without getting a chance to voice its opinion.

Though Syverud said tuition costs are likely to continue to increase, SU should work to lower the percentage by which they increase by doing everything possible to cut back on costs.

As SU increases its tuition, it should keep in mind to also increase the level of financial aid. When the tuition increased by 3.6 percent for the 2012-2013 year, SU also increased financial aid by 5.7 percent. Something similar should be done every time there is a tuition increase to help students who are already struggling to afford to attend SU.

For the future tuition increases, SU should do all it can to make sure raising the costs of attending the school is beneficial. It means having more student input, increasing financial aid alongside tuition costs and minimizing the percent of growth.

Published on March 19, 2014 at 12:30 am

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