Students said they think the UA should manage its funds instead of relying on tuition after hearing about the 9 percent non-resident tuition increase proposed by the student government and President Peter Likins yesterday.
“”That’s a huge increase,”” said Carissa Grubbs, a journalism freshman, who pays nonresident tuition. “”You hear about other colleges raising tuition by 3 percent, but 9 is a lot.””
The 9 percent increase will raise nonresident tuition by $1,222, according to Likins’ proposal. If approved by the Arizona Board of Regents, the proposal would increase resident tuition by $200, resident graduate tuition by $432, nonresident graduate tuition by $1,242 and the College of Medicine tuition by $1,427.
Lauren Duerson, a psychology senior, said she never expected tuition to increase every year she’s been at the UA.
“”Every year it keeps on getting worse,”” Duerson said.
Francisco Canales, a physiology junior, said he also didn’t expect tuition to increase when he decided to attend the UA.
“”When I started it was $1,900, then $2,100, and now $2,300. By the time I graduate I’m sure I’ll be paying like $2,900,”” Canales said.
Canales said students who choose to attend the UA because they think tuition is affordable may choose not to attend if tuition hikes continue.
Canales plans to apply to the UA College of Medicine after he graduates, but said he may have to attend a medical school in another state if the College of Medicine’s tuition continues to increase.
Some students said the increases will force them to rely more on loans to help them pay their tuition next semester.
Canales said he has two part-time jobs in addition to being a full-time student and that he will have to take out more loan money to pay for his tuition and books.
Grubbs said she relies on scholarships and loans to pay for her tuition as well.
Iva Momcheva, an astronomy graduate student, said she won’t be affected by the tuition increases for graduate students because her department helps pay for the tuition of research assistants.
Momcheva said she would still attend the UA even if she had to pay the full tuition costs herself.
“”It’s still really low,”” Momcheva said. “”And if the policy is to increase the quality and get more professors, then I think that’s a good reason.””
Grubbs said the UA should better manage university funds and not rely on tuition money to make up for budget cuts.
Duerson said she hopes the UA uses tuition money to lower class sizes. She said only three or four classes she has taken in the psychology department had fewer than 100 students in them.
Canales said the UA should also increase financial aid if tuition is increased.
Duerson said she disagrees with the Arizona Board of Regents and Peter Likins’ policy to make UA tuition at the top of the bottom one-third of public university tuition in the nation.
“”It should be based on what the university needs and not where we’re going to rank with the U.S.,”” Duerson said.
