Tuition climbs 12.9 percent

August 24, 2007 —

Across Michigan, tuition has increased significantly.

On Friday, July 27, the SVSU Board of Control held a special session to set the tuition rates for the 2007-2008 academic year. The decision saw rates increase 12.9 percent, the highest percentile increase within the last six years. The Board postponed its decision as long as possible with the hope that the state would announce its budget for higher education.

SVSU still boasts the lowest tuition rate among Michigan's fifteen public universities, all of which experienced an increase in tuition, starting in the fall. State appropriations for Michigan's public universities have been steadily declining over the last several years, and state legislature has yet to set their budget for this fiscal year.

"This was an extraordinary year," said President Eric R. Gilbertson regarding the increase. "We started out with a budget decrease of 12 percent, and we have to keep the lights on and the University running."

Gilbertson doesn't want students or parents to think that the costs are out of control, nor does he blame the politicians.

"It's just the reality. People don't want increased taxes, so cuts have to be made. It's nobody's fault and everyone's fault."

Not everyone agrees with his assessment.

"Politicians simply won't step up to the plate," says Michael Konesko, father of SVSU senior Patrick Konesko. "They keep saying they care about youth and education, but they continue not making decisions, which is having severe repercussions on the state's education."

Konesko doesn't blame SVSU, but sees it as the state's way of instating a "hidden tax" on him.

"Because I'm paying taxes and tuition."

Laura Konesko doesn't fully agree with her husband.

"I understand the University's need for the money with a growing campus and more students, but I just wish that [the increase] wasn't as much as it is."

The Koneskos have a sound financial plan funding their son's education, but Laura isn't sure that everyone is in the same boat.

"I imagine [the increase] would have to affect other people a lot, especially students without help."

Such is the case for 19-year-old sophomore Caleb Knutson, a theatre major.

"Last year my scholarships covered just about everything," Knutson said. "Now, I have to pay some of my tuition and buy all of my books on my own."

Like many other students, Knutson wasn't aware of the reason for the dramatic increase. Some students believe the increases every year have to do with construction of new buildings and renovations of old ones.

When informed of the nearly three million dollar budget cut to SVSU, 21-year-old senior and criminal justice major Stephanie Sugar proclaimed how happy she was that she was getting out now.

"I guess that says a lot about Michigan's economy and the lack of funding we have for one of the most important investments," Sugar said. "It's just no good."

There is the potential that students could receive a rebate if state appropriations exceed the Board of Control's assumptions. If such is the case, the refunds would still not occur until the end of SVSU's fiscal year, which is next June.

"We have to have the assurance of and have received the excess state appropriations before a rebate could occur," Gilbertson said, "but we would, at that point, make it a priority."

Gilbertson feels that SVSU's continued standing as Michigan's lowest costing public university should be the positive taken out of all of this.

"It's a testament to the University's devotion to its students," Gilbertson said. "[Higher education] is still an extremely good investment for students for both their future and themselves."