Editorial: Core values upheld through cutting tuition, maintaining scholarships

Total student loan debt exceeded total credit card debt in September 2010. By the end of 2011, student loan debt is likely to top $1 trillion, according to Tamar Lewin of The New York Times. In this time of economic crisis, The Board of Trustees of Cabrini College have authorized a 12.5 percent reduction in undergraduate tuition and fees, effective fall 2012.

The plan for affordability will increase access for the families Cabrini has served in the past and will continue through May 2015, keeping tuition and fees under $30,000. CNN Money released a report of five colleges cutting tuition this year by at least 10 percent. Cabrini is the only college that will cut tuition and maintain merit scholarships and awards at current levels. At a time when public colleges in Pennsylvania are all being forced to raise tuition next year, this is truly incredible.

President Marie Angelella George assured students in a written statement that these cuts will not affect the future strategic and master plans. Programs for undergraduate students as well as graduate students will continue to be strengthened and added, as well as maintaining value-based education. Meaning, Cabrini’s campus will continued to be improved as per the plan and students can continue to look forward to all of the great things in store for Cabrini.

When hearing the word “cuts,” a person generally imagines a plan to save money due to financial problems. Cabrini guarantees financial strength and instead is aiming to please and assist current and perspective students by focusing more on the mission of the college.

As a college seeking to provide “Education of the Heart,” cutting tuition seems only right. Our mission and course curriculum focus heavily on social justice. Social justice should start at the core of our education. The Loquitur editorial staff would like to applaud and thank the Board for this bold move and standing up for the core values of this college.

Cabrini does not want to gain an abundance of students by cutting tuition. The administration believes that a few years ago, Cabrini actually had more students than the college could comfortably accommodate. In turn, the tuition cuts will create a more selective admissions process in order to find the ideal Cabrini students.

Returning students in the fall of 2011 were able to experience the changes made to campus including a renovated dining hall, a beach volleyball court and picnic tables. While recent graduates may have felt as though they missed out on the new and improved campus, changes are being made each year to better the college and increase interest.

Senior students will not be able to take advantage of the tuition cuts. The Loquitur editorial staff, composed of juniors and seniors, feels the tuition cut is the right thing to do for students, current and future. There is always going to be a class that will miss out on something new. The best way to look at it is if Cabrini can increase their reputation through a tuition cut and gain even more of the right kinds of students, the value of every single one of our degrees will increase.

As alumni, we will have the opportunity to proudly state that our college did right by the students and families by focusing on their financial needs. It is a testament to the kind of people that make up this special community.

We couldn’t be more honored to be Cavaliers.