Tuition is rising again at Youngstown State U., and student reactions are generally negative.
After a two-year statewide tuition freeze, YSU is continuing its trend toward the state maximum in order to recover some lost revenues. In 2009, tuition increased by 3.5 percent. The same increase will be implemented for fall semester pending the approval of the board of trustees.
The cost for the 2010-2011 academic year will be $7,198, or $3,599 per semester.
“I think it’s ridiculous,” said senior Angela Onello. “I could use that money to pay for the parking pass or the gas to drive here.” Onello voiced her disagreement with fines and fees she believes the university unfairly levies against students.
Graduate student Laura Canale also weighed in on her perception of YSU’s spending.
“I do question building that new staircase, then raising tuition,” Canale said. “Especially when the governor has stated that he doesn’t want colleges increasing tuition. I’d be curious to know what he has to say about that.”
Junior Danielle Hosey said she is “not too happy about a tuition hike.”
“When I see things like libraries closing early in the summer and less variety of classes … I don’t see where there’s more cost accrued when, I believe, we’re getting fewer benefits,” Hosey said.
Scott Schulick, board of trustees chairman, said that if tuition is not raised, YSU would have no new revenue to compensate for utilities increases and contractual agreements. Schulick said the increase breaks down to approximately $120 per semester and $240 per academic year, or $20 per month.
“We really are looking at 2012 and 2013 when federal stimulus money is drying up,” Schulick said. “When the fed pulls that money from the state, the state will pull it from various sources and higher education will be included in that.”
The tuition freeze went into effect for the 2007-2008 academic year. At that time, tuition was $6,720 ($3,360 per semester). Tuition remained there for two years through the 2008-2009 academic year. In fall 2009, tuition rose 3.5 percent ($235) to $6,955 for the year ($3,477 per semester).
This year, the 3.5 percent increase will raise tuition by $243 for the academic year, reaching the state maximum increase of 7 percent.
The 2010-2011 fiscal year preliminary operating budget for YSU shows a breakdown of projected tuitions among Ohio colleges and universities. According to those projections, YSU will charge the third lowest tuition in the state.
Only Central State University ($5,479) and Shawnee State University ($6,452) are lower. Miami University of Ohio shows the highest tuition at $12,743 per year. Ohio State University is similar to both Kent State University and the University of Akron, all three showing tuitions barely above $9,000 for the year. The state average is $8,633 for the year. YSU falls $1,434 below that mark in spite of the tuition hike.
Tuition, fees and other charges comprise 67.8 percent of YSU’s general fund revenue (an estimated $107.78 million). It receives approximately $51.02 million more from state and other external funding. The budget projects a 2.6 percent increase in operating expenses from the fiscal year 2010 modified budget.
The budget is modified every year after the final enrollment calculations are made following the 14th day of fall semester. Expenses for 2010 were listed at $154.8 million. The 2011 budget projects $158.8 million, a $4 million increase.
Some students don’t necessarily care about the rising cost of tuition, as long as the money is well spent. Junior Craig Ziobert receives tuition remission, attending school free because of his father’s employment at YSU.
That does not stop him from showing concern over the university’s spending.
Ziobert said the increased revenue should be used to guarantee that all of YSU’s colleges receive equal funding.
“As long as we continue updating [technology and facilities], extra funding would be good for that,” he said.
Junior Anthony Daniels implied the tuition hike is acceptable because of YSU’s recent beautification and expansion efforts.
“It’s reasonable,” Daniels said. “They’re doing things with the money, enhancing … the school’s getting bigger, you need more money for that.”
Recently, a decrease in the university’s market investments has led to YSU using general fund revenues to compensate scholarship funds to the tune of more than $1 million.
Elaine Ruse, director of the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, said this was another consideration in raising tuition.
Ruse said that while student loans are not calculated using tuition as a factor, YSU would honor the increased tuition cost for full-ride academic and athletic scholarships.
“This was a necessary decision and not one that anybody I’ve been in contact with has taken lightly,” Ruse said.
The motion to raise tuition carried 8-1 in a meeting June 3 of the trustees’ Finance and Facilities Committee. Only former Ohio Sen. Harry Meshel dissented. Schulick said the entire board will officially vote on Friday, and he fully expects that the motion will be passed and implemented.