As the spring semester comes to a close at the University, students are preparing for final exams, writing term papers and finalizing plans for summer internships. The Quad shows new life, and the smell of freshly cut grass fills the air. In addition to the traditional end of semester tasks students manage, it has come time once again for students set to return in the fall to register for next semester’s classes. This year’s juniors register to become next year’s seniors, and classes fill up in the early-morning hours on registration days as students attempt to create the best possible schedule that contains the classes they need.
One aspect of students’ schedules, however, will not be decided until months from now – long after most returning students, and even many first-year students, register for classes. Over the summer, The University of Alabama Board of Trustees will announce tuition rates for the 2016–2017 school year. If recent trends continue, students can expect to pay three to four percent more per credit hour than they did this past year, but full discretion is in the hands of system administration to alter that amount. That means that the rate could be much more if deemed necessary. It was just announced last week that medical, dentistry and optometry students in the UA System will pay more for classes next semester, and a board meeting is set for June to set undergraduate and graduate rates.
The University of Alabama is experiencing tremendous growth on campus, and tuition rate increases are arguably a reasonable means for the University system to finance valuable long-term capital investments such as state-of-the-art classroom facilities and updated technological capabilities. Members of the Capstone community, however – the students these investments are meant to benefit – come from varying financial backgrounds. Many students are not on scholarship, and they and their families strain to make ends meet while they attend The University of Alabama. Sudden and unforeseen increases in cost may cause some to change or re-think their academic plans here at the University, with some potentially opting to delay the completion of their academic degree.
I urge University administration to work with those in the University system office to set tuition rates before asking students to commit to paying one of the most significant financial costs of their life. With advanced notice, many students and their families would be able to better plan and budget for an increase in the cost of their higher education. By providing more timely notification, The University of Alabama system would enable better decision making when it comes to setting class schedules for the fall semester, reducing the likelihood of putting students and their families in a financial bind.
Hunter Richey is a junior majoring in economics and political science. His column runs biweekly.
