RUTGERS STUDENTS CONCERNED AFTER BOARD MEMBERS VOTE IN FAVOR OF A THIRD INCREASE IN TUITION

Imani Seung

October 5, 2016

Digital News Writing and Reporting

Professor Tom Davis

RUTGERS STUDENTS CONCERNED AFTER BOARD MEMBERS VOTE IN FAVOR OF A THIRD INCREASE IN TUITION

Recent discussions on another tuition increase at Rutgers University have students rethinking accepting their invitation to be a Scarlet Knight. The State University of New Jersey has raised tuition three times in the last three years and is receiving much criticism from students for another hike in their fees for the 2016-2017 school year.

            “I opted to stay in state because it was supposed to be the cheaper alternative,” states Joanny Ferrerias, a sophomore at Rutgers University. “But had I known that I might end up paying just as much if not more than some out of state schools I might have made a different decision.”

            Ferrerias’ reaction is very similar to that of many other students. Rutgers first raised its tuition in 2013 by 2.4 percent. This was the University’s highest increase in years. The increase resulted in several student protests around the New Brunswick campus.

During the 2014-2015 school year in state students paid $25,561 to attend. This is a total $484 more than attendees paid during the previous year. “I know 500 bucks doesn’t seem like a lot but believe me it adds up,” states junior Stephany Mensah Narh.

And indeed it does add up, as Rutgers has been steadily raising its tuition by less than 4 percent for the past three years. “I have had to pay more and more each year to attend the same school,” Mensah Narh states in frustration. “And the quality of my life here as a student has not increased. So where is my money going?”

According a to a newsletter released by the Rutgers board of directors the recent increase was mandatory.  “We’re a public institution where state funding is flat,” writes vice president of University budgeting, Nancy Winterbauer. “And we simply can't provide the quality of an education that our students need without raising tuition.”

The 7-2 vote to raise tuition once again has been attributed to salary concerns amongst Rutgers teaching staff. Students have requested for a tuition freeze similar to that of fellow New Jersey colleges Essex County College, Rowan University, Seton Hall University, and Richard Stockton College.

However demands for a tuition freeze have not yet been met. “I was at each and every protest and every board member who addressed us basically told us their hands were tied. They gave us the run around,” stated senior Sara Mazzeo. “You educate us to advocate for ourselves, to ask questions so we’ll get answers, but you refuse to help us get those answers. And if tuition keeps increasing at this rate I will be the last in my family who can even afford to come here.”

Mazzeo is the third of six children who have decided to continue their studies on the banks of the old Raritan, but with the recent hike in fees her concerns are valid. If tuition increases continue steadily at this rate it will cost close to $30,000 to attend Rutgers within the next two decades.

The board will be meeting again soon to discuss the budget for the 2017-2018 school year. Talks of another increase are already in the works. But it is safe to assume that if the board continues to vote in favor of increases it may result in a small attendance decrease.