Tuition increase is the only way to go

President Kermit L. Hall, Provost Stan Albrecht and ASUSU President Les Essig should be commended for taking the time to speak with students and concerned faculty about the proposed tuition increase. Hall is technically under no obligation to let students and university know about the tuition changes USU faces in the future, yet he realized informing students would allow them to plan for their educational futures.

We know they aren’t raising tuition to raise tuition. A decrease in funding from the state Legislature has put the school under more financial pressure. Utility prices alone have left USU with a $9.8 million debt. These costs were previously funded by the Legislature.

The tuition increase will help the university maintain the much-needed faculty members and to repay debts incurred over the years. Students who are worried about the tuition increase or the lack of funding from the state should realize there are opportunities to have their voice be heard by lobbying the state Legislature.

The state Legislature needs to hear the results of its actions. It is up to the students to inform them. Over the years, USU students have been the most vocal about decreased funding from the state Legislature, and we need to be even more vocal to get the funding back. Nothing comes from students idly complaining about the increase without taking a proactive stance.

The state Legislature needs to realize the importance of higher education, and cutting funding increases challenges that puts the responsibility for funding on students shoulders – which may deter them from college altogether.

Hall is taking the only viable option he has left, and as students we should support his openness and willingness to talk about it.