KRT CampusThe questions “Where does our tuition money go?” and “Why is tuition so expensive?” are brought up frequently by students on campus.
Tuition is $18,470 for both residents and commuters, and with room and board that price escalates to $26,650.
“Higher education is a business that is very labor intensive. So there is a very high percentage of the [tuition] dollars that go to salaries and benefits. We have done surveys over the past couple of years and compared benefits and salaries with other institutions, so we have to continue to pay a competitive salary to attract new employees. That is what any business would do. But, tuition dollars do not go into big capital projects. There is a separate budget for that,” vice president for finance and administration treasurer, Stephen Lightcap, said.
Not only does tuition money go toward the salaries, but also towards the technology that needs to be updated every few years.
Executive Director of Marketing and Communications, Nancy Santos-Gainer said, “If you look at a lot of colleges, they have had to increase their tuition substantially because of these factors.”
Most students do not pay the full $26,650. The amount of money coming out of the budget for the 2002-2003 fiscal year for financial aid is about $8.6 million.
“About 80 percent of the population receives some form of a gift or grant, and around 92 percent receive self-help, which is loans. So I think when you look at the sticker price, $18,470 is a fair price [for tuition],” Lightcap said.
A big question on campus is whether or not more parking spaces will be provided in the future and if it is coming out of everyone’s tuition. The answer is yes and no. The money for parking will not come out of students’ pockets. The money actually comes from outside donors such as bonds, government grants and private gifts, not from tuition.
“We do have plans to add parking. It is on our master plan, but most donors do not want to buy a parking garage,” Lightcap said.
Students want to see the way they live on campus reflected in their tuition, but a strong majority of residents do not see it at all.
“Yes, I do think the tuition is expensive,” freshman psychology and Spanish major Joneeta Byrd said. “You would think with all the money we pay, we could at least have hot water [in the dorms]. Internet service is horrible. They charge you for a computer fee even when you do not have a computer, and they charge you for a car fee and freshmen don’t even have cars.”
Sophomore Stephanie Moffa agrees. “In our dorms we have no soap, so for $26,000 they should supply soap.”
Some people would agree they are paying too much, because of residential problems, but there are others who think they are getting their money’s worth. Marketing major, Jennifer Keller said, “I guess our tuition is expensive, but I think it is put to good use. We really do have good facilities.”
