College students and parents alike have been concerned about tuition increases. There has been other discussion surrounding if this correlates to the faculty and the contract that expires June 30, 2007. According to apscufwcu.com, from 2002 to 2006, the average faculty salary, adjusted for inflation, decreased by nearly eight percent. The entire inflation-adjusted amount the system spends on faculty, including tuition, benefits, and taxes, has decreased since 2002.
Using the school’s Alumni Association and bringing advertisers to campuses can increase a college or university’s budget. If these higher education institutions can increase the amount of money flowing into their school, they could then decrease the cost of tuition.
This rising trend can be stopped before it gets to an out of control level, in which no one can afford to be highly educated. Hopefully, the cost will decrease enough so that students looking to head to college can go to the school of their dreams without having to worry if they can afford the tuition costs or not.
The Phonathon connects families, friends and alumni together through generous donations. Alumni participation is critical to the national ranking and foundation and grant support WCU receives. The amount that is donated at certain points, also affects the tuition rise at WCU.
Lindsay Keegan, a junior at WCU, and also an employee at the Phonathon, said, “However much money we receive each year from alumni determines state funding which causes tuition to rise. I think it is very important to donate to the school if you are alumni because every bit helps out the students. After working here, I am more aware of our dilemma.”
Cost in technology and our library, even with keeping up with books, periodicals and articles are also increasing our tuition. We are constantly keeping up to date with the changing of new ideas and formats especially with new majors and expectations with professors.
According to Mark P. Mixner, the Vice President of Administration and Finance, the cost for a PA resident undergraduate attending West Chester University in 2002-2003 was $4,378 and for 2006-2007 year it rose to $5,038 making that a 15.08% increase. For a graduate for ’02-’03 it was $5,254 and for ’06-’07 it rose to $6,048 making it a 15.11 percent increase.
The technology fee increased 25 percent from 2002 to 2007.
If you are an out of state resident at WCU, for an undergraduate in 2002-2003 it was $10,946 and it rose in 2006-2007 to $12,598 making that a 15.09 percent increase. For graduate, the tuition in ’02-’03 was $8,408 and in ’06-’07 the tuition rose to $9, 678 making that a 15.10% increase.
The technology fee rose 25.33 percent since the 2002-2003 school year.
Hopefully WCU can come together and do as much they can to raise money to help the school survive the constant increase in tuition.
For more information on the tuition increase, go to www.wcupa.edu under Prospective Students, or contact Mark P. Mixner at MMixner@wcupa.edu.