Promises and tuition on the line

For students enrolled in 2004, the Truth in Tuition plan locked in their tuition for four years. On Feb. 7, approval of proposed tuition increases for the '08-'09 school year goes before the Board of Trustees. Students who have not graduated yet face a proposed 25 percent increase in tuition. Those here before 2004 face tuition increases as well.

A report from Enrollment Services states that since 2003, freshmen enrollment has dropped 15.4 percent. Mark Wilcockson, Vice President of Finance and Administration, said in the Dec. 4, 2007 edition of the Independent, that the decline in enrollment "was definitely factored in the decision for the tuition increase." Given the frustrations students face trying to get into required classes that are already full, why would someone stay at NEIU if they can't get the classes they need to graduate? Strictly from a public relations standpoint, these are some of the challenges that the newly-created position of Vice President of Advancement faces. Carla A. Knorowski will be in charge of public affairs, alumni relations, and fundraising. I can understand why it's hard pulling resources from alumni when becoming a graduate of NEIU doesn't seem to come easy these days. While the new position of "Vice President of Advancement" sounds great, how exactly will it play out in real life? There are roadblocks there that shouldn't be that can easily be resolved with some initiative on the part of the administration. While we're not expecting any miracles, let's see if Dr. Knorowski can deliver on her many promises.

Meanwhile, the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation that supposedly holds institutions accountable for reducing the price of textbooks for students. The bill, "Higher Education Textbook Costs" states that institutions "shall undertake measures to reduce the cost of textbooks to students." Exactly what "measures" the university can take is unclear. It can't force Beck's to lower book prices, so what's the point? It's just another nice-sounding yet meaningless piece of legislation. Of course, it's not in the interests of Beck's to keep prices down. They're there to make money. No way around that. They are a business after all. It just seems that students get screwed over even more when newer editions of textbooks come out that have very few revisions. SGA used to have a book exchange program that was meant as a viable alternative to Beck's. So, whatever happened to that?

Some students make flyers in hopes that someone who just happens to need the exact same textbook calls regarding the book. More creative teachers put together their own classroom readers. Of course, students would still have to purchase them, but for a significantly lower price.

Sometimes, there's no avoiding buying a textbook from Beck's. I figured I might as well pay for the books I need now instead of waiting a week or more to get them at a cheaper price online. I didn't want to fall behind on required readings. I'd be lucky if the library even had them. There was no guarantee. Then again, few things are around here.