Spring Break
Take advantage of what tuition buys
The Traveler Editorial Board
Issue date: 11/14/08 Section: Opinion
Though gas prices have been falling steadily the past few months, the same cannot be said of UA tuition.
Last March, the board of trustees approved a 5 percent increase in tuition, as well as a $2 a credit hour fee. Another meeting about tuition is expected this April, and fees will most likely go up again because of the economic downturn and ever-increasing maintenance costs of the UA.
Funding for the UA primarily comes from the state in the form of state appropriations and tuition, according to the university Web site.
For the 2008-09 fiscal year, state appropriations are down $4.7 million, which cuts the education and general funds budget by 2 percent, said Tysen Kendig, associate vice chancellor of University Relations, in a past interview with the Traveler.
So, with a budget lower than expected and energy prices that will doubtlessly increase during the winter months, tuition is rising once again.
Students can't fight higher tuition, but they can try to offset it as much as possible. Work out at the HPER instead of joining a gym, forego $8 movie tickets and check out the free films shown in the Arkansas Union (yes, they're there), head to Friday Night Live instead of shopping with friends, and attend free UA concerts - or maybe even a lecture - instead of heading to the bowling alley or dining out.
Who knows, maybe taking advantage of more - and often free - opportunities on campus will make increases in tuition and fees seem like less of a problem and more like students are getting their money's worth.
Last March, the board of trustees approved a 5 percent increase in tuition, as well as a $2 a credit hour fee. Another meeting about tuition is expected this April, and fees will most likely go up again because of the economic downturn and ever-increasing maintenance costs of the UA.
Funding for the UA primarily comes from the state in the form of state appropriations and tuition, according to the university Web site.
For the 2008-09 fiscal year, state appropriations are down $4.7 million, which cuts the education and general funds budget by 2 percent, said Tysen Kendig, associate vice chancellor of University Relations, in a past interview with the Traveler.
So, with a budget lower than expected and energy prices that will doubtlessly increase during the winter months, tuition is rising once again.
Students can't fight higher tuition, but they can try to offset it as much as possible. Work out at the HPER instead of joining a gym, forego $8 movie tickets and check out the free films shown in the Arkansas Union (yes, they're there), head to Friday Night Live instead of shopping with friends, and attend free UA concerts - or maybe even a lecture - instead of heading to the bowling alley or dining out.
Who knows, maybe taking advantage of more - and often free - opportunities on campus will make increases in tuition and fees seem like less of a problem and more like students are getting their money's worth.
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