2008 Woodie Awards
Funding higher education an issue for Colo.
Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: Staff Reflections
Each year tuition for college is raised, but next year, tuition is expected to be raised by its highest percentage, approximately 9.5 percent. Even though the University of Northern Colorado will still be considered one of the most affordable universities in Colorado, it is not easy on the pockets of students.
Colleges are funded through tax dollars and tuition fees. So if retention rates drop, the college loses money from those students and sometimes that leads to a slight tuition increase. Although it's not fair, the money is needed to keep the facilities up to date.
It has been made visible that funding for higher education is a problem that needs to be fixed. This has become an issue that the presidential candidates have taken into consideration. But some students think that their concerns are not heard even when voiced.
Although it may feel like the government doesn't listen to students, one official has prove that he at least heard us. Gov. Bill Ritter, D-Colo., signed a bill in April to reform textbook prices. That's one step toward progress.
While students are focused on their studies, jobs and just getting by, they don't use their free time to voice the idea of reforming tuition a priority. Others never see their tuition bill because their family may help pay it, so they don't feel the full effects of the tuition increase.
It is not impossible to have a cost effective education with a substantial institution as seen in Europe. It is just difficult to come up with solutions to meet those requirements. It seems like a give and take process to find a solution in preventing outrageous tuition increases. If we lower tuition, taxes would need to be increased. Lower taxes and it would be a gamble to let enrollment dictate how much money a college gets.
For a country that values a good education, it is unfortunate that there's a high price tag on that value.
Colleges are funded through tax dollars and tuition fees. So if retention rates drop, the college loses money from those students and sometimes that leads to a slight tuition increase. Although it's not fair, the money is needed to keep the facilities up to date.
It has been made visible that funding for higher education is a problem that needs to be fixed. This has become an issue that the presidential candidates have taken into consideration. But some students think that their concerns are not heard even when voiced.
Although it may feel like the government doesn't listen to students, one official has prove that he at least heard us. Gov. Bill Ritter, D-Colo., signed a bill in April to reform textbook prices. That's one step toward progress.
While students are focused on their studies, jobs and just getting by, they don't use their free time to voice the idea of reforming tuition a priority. Others never see their tuition bill because their family may help pay it, so they don't feel the full effects of the tuition increase.
It is not impossible to have a cost effective education with a substantial institution as seen in Europe. It is just difficult to come up with solutions to meet those requirements. It seems like a give and take process to find a solution in preventing outrageous tuition increases. If we lower tuition, taxes would need to be increased. Lower taxes and it would be a gamble to let enrollment dictate how much money a college gets.
For a country that values a good education, it is unfortunate that there's a high price tag on that value.
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