Letters: Tuition increase vote

June 1, 2009 by Adam Cronis 

Dear Rebels,

I have had the good fortune to serve you in my role as Undergraduate Student Body President for over a year now, and in that time my appreciation and respect for your tenacious pursuit of attaining your college degree has continued to grow.

It has been a privilege to serve during this tumultuous year because in facing the prospect of massive budget cuts, our community has proven the cynics wrong and it has united in common cause and in common spirit. Students, faculty, administrators and community members have joined together and tirelessly fought for maintaining a quality college and university system in Nevada, so that all could benefit from a diversified economy, better paying jobs and a highly engaged citizenry. 

Through your unyielding efforts, this state has witnessed what once was a 52% cut to UNLV be reduced to 15.4%. Such a decrease is astounding and it is owed to yours’ and many others’ outreach to their elected legislators. Your letters, e-mails, phone calls and one-on-one meetings have all contributed to the rescuing of our university. Yet while our school will continue to live on, much pain will be experienced by our faculty, staff and students. Cuts have been made to the health benefits of our faculty, salaries have been reduced for our university employees and students are facing the prospect of paying more money in return for receiving the same product.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is an unfortunate fact that on June 18th; the Board of Regents will be voting on whether or not to implement a tuition increase. Perhaps the most unfortunate aspect of this increase is the necessity of it. This tuition increase is one that would be applied to undergraduates specifically because graduate students are already facing a 10% tuition increase. 

The undergraduate increase is currently estimated to be around 5% for each of the next two years; on top of the 5% that was previously approved for the 2009-2011 biennium (10% each year). By some estimates, this additional increase would mean a gain of as much as $6.5 million in revenue to the university over the next two years, excluding the 5% increase that was previously approved. 

In real terms, this number amounts to more than 130 university employees being paid at an average rate of $50,000 including their benefits. This added revenue would provide measurable progress in avoiding cuts to class sections, avoiding the loss of many of our best faculty, avoiding the rapid degradation of departments, while also staving off mass layoffs. 

Despite these positives, the tuition increase currently being discussed is one that is not without sacrifice, the working-class students of our university are already facing increases in many other areas of their lives whether it be power bills, credit card payments, student loans and countless other expenses. 

In the midst of these rising costs, there is no doubt in my mind that a tuition increase will force some students to forego their efforts at continuing their UNLV education. 

That reality is gut-wrenching for everyone to consider, and it is one that will haunt all who are involved. Yet while paying more money for the same services is infuriating, a tuition increase at this time will provide UNLV students with the opportunity of avoiding the very worst circumstances that otherwise could occur. As this issue comes closer to the forefront in days to come, please take the time to think about the following ideas: What do you believe is most important to ensuring your success in college? Is it the faculty? Is it the quality of academic programs? Is it the campus atmosphere and extracurricular experiences? 

These questions are critically important when one considers the idea of a tuition increase because the answers to these questions are what makes or breaks a students’ college experience. Currently, there is a survey being distributed which will give you the opportunity to voice your concerns to those who have decision making authority on this topic. 

Whatever your views on this topic, please make your opinions heard and make your voice matter. Here is the link:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=sjzKQH_2fZpa34YJMxOdEuHQ_3d_3d

The survey will be available until Wednesday, June 10th.

Adam Cronis, Student Body President

NOTE: Letters to the editor run unedited.