Once again, as students depart for a summer filled with relaxation, classes, or work, the University Board of Regents will begin deliberation on their budgets and the tuition rates for next year. While some students will be working more than 40 hours a week to earn spending cash for the school year, others will be working overtime to pay for the increasing costs of education.
The regents began a trend in proposing low tuition hikes with last year's 3.5-percent increase, the lowest since 1984. The trend must be continued. It is imperative that the regents keep tuition increases at the level of inflation.
The University is in a very stable financial position this year to meet the rate of inflation. This year, the Michigan Telefund Campaign surpassed its goal by more than $250,000. Although state appropriations have yet to be finalized, according to Gov. John Engler's proposed budget the University will once again be the highest funded of any of Michigan's public universities.
Setting the tuition increase at the rate of inflation will also allow University of Michigan students to receive a tuition tax credit reimbursement. This money could be spent on books or any of the myriad of other costs of attending college.
The University has experienced problems in increasing minority enrollment this year and campus groups have demonstrated for the need of increased financial aid. Keeping tuition low will allow greater access to an education for many of these students.
The costs of tuition are too high for many students to absorb without taking out loans. In the last few years, many of the nation's federal funding sources have come under attack, and families are forced to take out non-federal loans whose interest is compounded while students still attend school.
These are a few of the many reasons for keeping tuition low. Students must take an active role in lobbying for this change. The Michigan Student Assembly is spearheading a campaign to make this happen, but we need students to voice their opinions and bolster support.
Students can e-mail all of the regents atregents@umich.edu, and can send direct mail to any or all of the regents in care of: Sylvia Clerkley, Secretary of the University, 2008 Fleming Building 1340, Ann Arbor, MI 48109.
In addition, students can sign a petition - available at MSA or in the Fishbowl until the end of classes - supporting a cap on tuition increases at the rate of inflation that we will present to the regents in June. Students who are interested in speaking at the June regents meeting to voice their support for this proposal or to address high tuition costs can e-mail mjnagran@umich.edu.
Please take the time to make your voice heard before you leave campus, otherwise when you return next fall, your tuition bill might be a lot higher.
Michael Nagrant is the Michigan Student Assembly President and an LSA junior.