2008 Woodie Awards
Enough is enough
Danielle Coley
Section: Opinion
Just when you thought it was safe to assume school and all the problems associated with it couldn't get any worse, here's another thing to add to the list of irritants: tuition and fees are due for increase.
The jump in charges, set to immediately go into effect for the 2008-2009 school year, was approved by the NSU Board of Visitors in early March. While the average increase is down from last year's jump of 5.26 percent, this just proves to be yet another obstacle for students trying to further their education.
In-state students can expect to see their tuition rise this year at approximately 4.47 percent, a modest but necessary increase as noted by the board members. Roughly, this amounts to about a $119 increase for the average full-time undergraduate. Out-of-state students bear a somewhat lighter cross, with a smaller increase of about 3.48 percent. Graduate students, as to be expected, must pay an even higher tuition fee of 6.63 percent, applying to both in-state and out-of-state.
According to The Board of Visitors, all information regarding the exact increases for costs per credit hour and room and board charges have become available to students since pre-registration started on March 31, 2008.
This is yet another example of educational opportunities becoming more difficult. Students are forced to work full-time jobs just to meet the costs of college, which ironically shifts their focus away from furthering their education simply out of exhaustion or frustration.
I believe I speak for a multitude of students here who believe, while certain cost adjustments in higher education are necessary, others aren't as justifiable. What the Board of Visitors views as a small price to pay, we students of Norfolk State feel taken advantage of. The desire for students to go to college grows by the minute and, because of this, budget makers keep us at their mercy.
Students too often end up bearing more responsibility than they can handle, while simultaneously trying to maintain impressive grade point averages, extensive networks and, if we are lucky, social lives. Does anyone take our feelings and thoughts into account?
Like an addict with a powerful drug, we as the student body are so hooked on the idea of becoming the next generation of professionals that we willingly go along with whatever repercussions it may entail…even if that means selling our souls for an education.
Board of Visitors: enough is enough.
The jump in charges, set to immediately go into effect for the 2008-2009 school year, was approved by the NSU Board of Visitors in early March. While the average increase is down from last year's jump of 5.26 percent, this just proves to be yet another obstacle for students trying to further their education.
In-state students can expect to see their tuition rise this year at approximately 4.47 percent, a modest but necessary increase as noted by the board members. Roughly, this amounts to about a $119 increase for the average full-time undergraduate. Out-of-state students bear a somewhat lighter cross, with a smaller increase of about 3.48 percent. Graduate students, as to be expected, must pay an even higher tuition fee of 6.63 percent, applying to both in-state and out-of-state.
According to The Board of Visitors, all information regarding the exact increases for costs per credit hour and room and board charges have become available to students since pre-registration started on March 31, 2008.
This is yet another example of educational opportunities becoming more difficult. Students are forced to work full-time jobs just to meet the costs of college, which ironically shifts their focus away from furthering their education simply out of exhaustion or frustration.
I believe I speak for a multitude of students here who believe, while certain cost adjustments in higher education are necessary, others aren't as justifiable. What the Board of Visitors views as a small price to pay, we students of Norfolk State feel taken advantage of. The desire for students to go to college grows by the minute and, because of this, budget makers keep us at their mercy.
Students too often end up bearing more responsibility than they can handle, while simultaneously trying to maintain impressive grade point averages, extensive networks and, if we are lucky, social lives. Does anyone take our feelings and thoughts into account?
Like an addict with a powerful drug, we as the student body are so hooked on the idea of becoming the next generation of professionals that we willingly go along with whatever repercussions it may entail…even if that means selling our souls for an education.
Board of Visitors: enough is enough.
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