Students react to tuition increase; Pres. Williams offers clarification
On Feb. 22, in an email sent out to the student body, President Williams announced that Muhlenberg will be increasing comprehensive student charges by 4.8 percent.
“As we strive to maintain and enhance the Muhlenberg experience, the Board of Trustees has approved total student charges for next year of $62,130,” said Williams in the email. “Muhlenberg sets an increase in student charges only after extensive analysis of the College’s budget and of resources that we need to strengthen the educational experience we offer.”
The “student charges” include tuition, fees and room and board. According to US News and World Report, student charges for the 2016-17 academic year totaled $59,400. As such, this is the first time that expected fees have crossed the $60,000 threshold.
However, the letter attached to the email sent by President Williams left many questions still unanswered. Mainly, where is the extra money going?
“The problem with President Williams’s email, I thought, was that it was very unspecific and vague as to where the money was going,” said Daniel Lester ‘18. “It was very general but we can handle specifics.”
Rosemary Corcoran ‘20 had similar questions, “I understand that we have to raise the price but I’d like to see where my money is going.”
“I really think it’s dumb,” said another student. “I just feel like it’s so unnecessary. If it’s not going to go to the science building then hard pass, Trumbower needs help.”
Some students were more resigned, Stephanie Brown ‘20 said “my view would be obviously it’s not something I’m happy about but it is something I expected. I think it’s something that’s common for most colleges across the years.”
“I definitely think it’s coming from a place where the college administration knows they can increase the price and still maintain the foundation of the student population,” said Lauren McGinty ‘18. “When I first heard about it I thought it might be from our theater program being ranked number one by the Princeton review and the school capitalizing on that.”
Soon after the decision was announced, a Change.org petition begun. It currently has 148 signees.
According to President Williams, the 4.8 percent adds up to roughly $6.6 million more coming in than last year.
“The College is investing in a number of areas that make Muhlenberg stronger for the ultimate benefit of our students,” he explained.
Some of these programs include increases to financial aid, expanding support services that could potentially result in new Campus Safety officers and additional Counseling Center staff, new faculty hires, expanding the Neuroscience department and centers on campus and partnerships with other colleges and universities on undergraduate programs as well as graduate and professional programs including some not yet announced. The funds will also help support new technology, including the switch to a new system called Workday that will be replacing Capstone.
“The tuition and fees at Muhlenberg compare quite favorably with most of the colleges that overlap with Muhlenberg in admissions, both this year and next year,” said Williams. For comparison, Muhlenberg’s tuition would still come in below Franklin and Marshall College, Bucknell University, Lafayette College, and Lehigh University.
The College is attempting to reduce costs by working with other LVAIC schools for joint purchases, investing in energy saving equipment and more health insurance coverage at a lower cost.
“The increase in tuition and fees for next year is in line with the College’s history of such increases,” said Williams. Price increases from 2001-2002 to now have varied anywhere from 3.11 percent to 7.43 percent. This year’s 4.8 percent is consistent with the last year’s which was 4.87 percent although it was a jump from 2015-2016 which was a 3.75 percent increase.
The price increase also raises the questions of affordability and financial aid.
“The College is raising additional funds from alumni and parent donors and others in order to be able to provide more financial aid for students with need,” said Williams.
The College has pulled $11 million from the quasi-endowment to create the “Muhlenberg Match Challenge” program in order to match all newly established endowed scholarships or educational enrichment funds from $25,000 to $250,000. Currently, over $7.1 million of those funds are being utilized for scholarships.
Students must reapply for financial aid every year and the financial aid office makes adjustments for each individual student based on current costs. “Students with need-based financial aid packages should inquire of the financial aid office whether their aid is eligible for adjustment due to a change in their financial need,” said Williams.
For many students, the upset regarding the price increase is obvious. For seniors like Shoshana Fishbein, the increase will ultimately be inconsequential.
“I’m glad I’m getting out when I am,” said Fishbein.
Photo courtesy of Haris Bhatti