Spring Break
University plans 5-percent hike in 2008-'09 tuition
University has yet to announce the December decision
Issue date: 3/13/08
University officials expect to announce a 5-percent increase in tuition for the upcoming academic year in the coming weeks, though the decision was made by the Board of Trustees in December.
With the 5-percent hike, next year's tuition will be $37,700, an increase that hovers just above the current inflation rate.
"We will be making a formal announcement of the tuition for next year sometime within the next couple of weeks," University Spokesman Dennis O'Shea said. "Until recently, we have made the announcement in late winter when the Board has voted upon the issue. This year, the Board decided upon the issue much earlier."
The Board of Trustees traditionally decides on the price of tuition for the coming year in late winter. However, due to changes in their meeting schedule, the Board has voted on the issue, for the last few years, in December.
Students and parents are usually informed of changes in tuition soon after the trustees vote on the issue. This year, however, seems to be an exception. When asked why the University did not make the announcement earlier to coincide with the decision, O'Shea said, "For one thing, people weren't really paying attention in December when there are exams and the holidays. In terms of the work in my office, it is easier to do it at the end of winter."
While the new tuition prices were posted on the financial aid Web site, most students were completely unaware of the decision.
"I think it is unfair," sophomore Absar Ullahsaid. "We already pay tuition to be here. We have the right to know what is going on. Hopkins needs our money so we have the right to know how much we are going to pay. If Hopkins is going to go with the status quo and not follow the lead of other universities with regards to tuition, we have the right to know."
"This is going to impact both students and their families," freshman Ryan Fay said. "The fact that they still haven't announced the tuition increase after several months makes me feel uneasy about their intentions ... makes me wonder what their reasons are."
With the 5-percent hike, next year's tuition will be $37,700, an increase that hovers just above the current inflation rate.
"We will be making a formal announcement of the tuition for next year sometime within the next couple of weeks," University Spokesman Dennis O'Shea said. "Until recently, we have made the announcement in late winter when the Board has voted upon the issue. This year, the Board decided upon the issue much earlier."
The Board of Trustees traditionally decides on the price of tuition for the coming year in late winter. However, due to changes in their meeting schedule, the Board has voted on the issue, for the last few years, in December.
Students and parents are usually informed of changes in tuition soon after the trustees vote on the issue. This year, however, seems to be an exception. When asked why the University did not make the announcement earlier to coincide with the decision, O'Shea said, "For one thing, people weren't really paying attention in December when there are exams and the holidays. In terms of the work in my office, it is easier to do it at the end of winter."
While the new tuition prices were posted on the financial aid Web site, most students were completely unaware of the decision.
"I think it is unfair," sophomore Absar Ullahsaid. "We already pay tuition to be here. We have the right to know what is going on. Hopkins needs our money so we have the right to know how much we are going to pay. If Hopkins is going to go with the status quo and not follow the lead of other universities with regards to tuition, we have the right to know."
"This is going to impact both students and their families," freshman Ryan Fay said. "The fact that they still haven't announced the tuition increase after several months makes me feel uneasy about their intentions ... makes me wonder what their reasons are."
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