Speak up about tuition: Student input on tuition process is inadequate so far

Student absence at last Thursday's tuition forum might signal apathy to administrators preventing student input from being considered as discussions on tuition progress.

Student Body President J.J. Raynor and Student Body Vice President Todd Dalrymple invited students to a tuition forum last Thursday to solicit input from the student body.

Ten people came.

University officials have valid reasons for increasing tuition such as faculty retention and student aid. They are represented at tuition forums and certainly get their say during the decision making process.

But where is the voice of the students?

If students are unhappy with the significant tuition increase proposals they should publicly voice these opinions when offered the opportunity.

 Maybe students are happy with the hikes. But we doubt it.

They might be absent from forums because they think they won't have any ability to sway the process.

But that rationale might be misinformed.

Though large attendance at public meetings has not stopped tuition hikes in the past it has influenced the process.

In 2007 students rallied at a Board of Trustees meeting and called attention to the flawed process of raising tuition. Their efforts did not stop tuition hikes but they did help bring about a new focus of tuition talks for last year — predictability.

Students must show similar initiative in joining the tuition discussion this year if they hope to improve the process more.

And student government could publicize the tuition forums more strenuously to ensure student involvement.

Complaining in private to friends about tuition hikes will do nothing to decrease them. If we keep silent when given the public opportunity to provide input the Board of Trustees may interpret that students don't care about tuition hikes.

And that is something we definitely can't afford.