College offers tuition breaks for having fun

Los Angeles Times

ST. LOUIS - First, a clarification: It's true that students at Missouri's William Woods University soon will be able to earn big tuition breaks simply by having fun.

But not every kind of fun qualifies.

Keg-party fun does not. Nor does ping-pong-with-the-roomie fun. Veg-out by-the-TV fun won't cut it, either.

No, this small liberal arts college will knock nearly 40 percent off its tuition only for students who have the kind of fun that enhances an education, or boosts campus spirit. Fun like attending a women's basketball game. Swinging by a faculty art exhibit. Joining a book group. Performing in a play. Jamming at an on-campus concert.

In a program that national education experts call unique, William Woods will slash its $13,200 tuition by $5,000 next year for every incoming freshman who pledges to participate in a set number of extracurricular activities.

The college will give each activity a point value. Serving on student government, for instance, might be worth four points, while playing intramural volleyball might merit one. Every freshman who earns 45 points will snag the discount - and will be eligible for a similar break his sophomore year.

"In recent years, student involvement in extracurriculars has been declining," Dean Larry Kramer said. "We're interested in encouraging students to enjoy the total college experience, not just what goes on in their classrooms." But is it possible to bribe a kid to be well-rounded?

Although many freshmen likely will attend events grudgingly at first, dragging themselves to a black history month program for the sake of that $5,000, Kramer predicts that most will soon develop a genuine enthusiasm for campus life. Not only that: He fully expects students to become so used to joining and doing that they carry on the habit even after graduation.

"Once they get that job as a computer specialist, we still want them to go to the symphony, to the theater, support the local zoo," he said.