Tuition to spike in coming years
Walter Lesczynski
Issue date: 2/28/08 Section: News
Students and staff at Eastern are preparing for the worst, since learning Gov. Steve Beshear wants to cut funding for higher education an additional 12 percent as part of a plan to balance the state budget. While nothing has been officially announced yet, the greatest fear for most students is a tuition hike.
"I think its important that students understand that it's a great possibility," said David Fifer, Eastern's student body president.
Fifer said a rise in tuition is among the options being discussed by the university's budget council, but that it was unlikely to be the only solution.
"If tuition were raised to make up the shortfall Beshear has proposed, we're talking double digits. For example, I know that UK would be facing a tuition hike of 30 percent," Fifer said.
President Whitlock confirmed that tuition will rise, even if the proposed cuts are not enacted into law.
"A modest tuition increase was in the works for the coming years even before the real and potential budget cuts entered the picture," Whitlock said. "The amount of a future increase will be driven, to some measure, by the size of any further state appropriation reduction for 2008-2009."
"I'm gonna be pissed off, because I pay out of pocket," said Whitney Centers, an education major from Berea. "I came to Eastern because the tuition was low," she said, adding that she will probably transfer to another school in the fall if tuition goes up. Affordability for students is foremost in the decision-making process, Whitlock said
"While Kentucky tuitions still remain a relative bargain in comparison to other states, we are very sensitive to the impact of our decisions on our students, their ability to attend and the decisions they make," he said.
Even students on scholarships were distressed about the possibility.
"If tuition goes up to $3,000 or more I would look for another school," said Brendan Tipton, an English major from Estill County. Although he has to pay other expenses such as housing, Tipton is on a regent scholarship, which only covers four years.
"I think its important that students understand that it's a great possibility," said David Fifer, Eastern's student body president.
Fifer said a rise in tuition is among the options being discussed by the university's budget council, but that it was unlikely to be the only solution.
"If tuition were raised to make up the shortfall Beshear has proposed, we're talking double digits. For example, I know that UK would be facing a tuition hike of 30 percent," Fifer said.
President Whitlock confirmed that tuition will rise, even if the proposed cuts are not enacted into law.
"A modest tuition increase was in the works for the coming years even before the real and potential budget cuts entered the picture," Whitlock said. "The amount of a future increase will be driven, to some measure, by the size of any further state appropriation reduction for 2008-2009."
"I'm gonna be pissed off, because I pay out of pocket," said Whitney Centers, an education major from Berea. "I came to Eastern because the tuition was low," she said, adding that she will probably transfer to another school in the fall if tuition goes up. Affordability for students is foremost in the decision-making process, Whitlock said
"While Kentucky tuitions still remain a relative bargain in comparison to other states, we are very sensitive to the impact of our decisions on our students, their ability to attend and the decisions they make," he said.
Even students on scholarships were distressed about the possibility.
"If tuition goes up to $3,000 or more I would look for another school," said Brendan Tipton, an English major from Estill County. Although he has to pay other expenses such as housing, Tipton is on a regent scholarship, which only covers four years.
