Following a significant increase in tuition for out-of-state students for the 2001-'02 school year, UW-Madison officials have begun discussing ways to make the increases in tuition less dramatic from year to year, reducing the risk that students already enrolled in the university would not be able to continue due to rising costs.
One plan being considered would raise tuition for incoming freshman significantly and then guarantee that price level for five years. Should the tuition structure be changed it would be unlikely to occur before 2003; however, this structure is currently utilized by many other colleges.
'As we think about tuition policy in light of the increases out-of-state students face, we've begun to think of tuition policies that might help students and parents to plan a little bit better than they do now,' said Charles Hoslet, UW-Madison director of state relations. 'It wasn't this particular increase, but the increases over the past few years.'
Associated Students of Madison Chair Jessica Miller said despite a few drawbacks, she believes the plan would be mostly beneficial.
'I definitely think that with the rate increases many students can't afford to finish,' she said. 'One of the problems that could potentially occur is that tuition will go up considerably for the incoming freshman class and they won't have a say in this. It's not a perfect solution, but it's something I'd like to see talked about some more.'
Miller also said this program might affect student retention issues.
'[University officials] are trying to make it easier for students to get through the university so they don't start and [then] aren't able to finish,' she said.
Jeff Pertl, an ASM representative, agreed, saying while he believes the plan is a good idea, if the university decided to do more than talk about it, some details would need to be looked at closely.
'Even if tuition went up 20 percent [for the incoming class] it would still be less than 6 percent each year,' he said. 'Guaranteed tuition can help students to plan for the future.'
However, Pertl did mention potentially negative aspects of the plan.
'One drawback might be that students may not be able to pay the 40 percent increase their first year but as students and parents start making more money they may be able to afford it [as a gradual increase],' he said. 'Another thing to consider is if it's a bad year for the [state] budget, that generation of students will pay the price. They need to be really careful with the students who are just making it.'
