Tuition should increase. But let us explain ourselves, especially before you start sending your tuition bills to the Daily in protest.

There are currently four areas of “tuition structure” the Board of Regents is asking public Iowa universities to consider. Here’s a quick breakdown:

* Charge different tuition at different universities. Currently Iowa State, the University of Iowa, and the University of Northern Iowa charge the same rate.

* Charge different tuition for separate academic programs and majors. In this scenario, a chemical engineering major might be charged more than an English major, or, perhaps, vice versa.

* Charge different tuition based on classification. Juniors and seniors would be charged higher tuition than freshmen and sophomores, ostensibly because they have smaller classes, more equipment and more labs than their younger comrades.

* Charge tuition by credit. More credits, more money; less credits, less money.

Each of these plans has its benefits — especially for those who might choose an economically low-impact, low-credit major at a cheaper university.

But logistically, these plans are a nightmare. Imagine changing majors, dropping classes, double majoring, dropping minors, and, heaven forbid, achieving upperclassman status. Nothing like punishing students for succeeding.

Of the four plans, charging different tuition at each university is the most feasible. It runs the risk, however, of alienating students who want to major in Japanese studies and creative writing, but maybe couldn’t afford to go to the University of Iowa. Or ag-oriented students who couldn’t afford to go to Iowa State.

Re-examining tuition policies is undoubtedly necessary in a time of painful budget cuts and consolidation of departments and colleges. Mark Chidister, assistant to the president for budget planning, said in a Jan. 30 Daily article that “It’s just general good practice to periodically examine your core practices … This hasn’t been studied for a long time.”

It pains us to say this, but the best short-term plan is to simply raise tuition across the board. It’d be nice to get more funding from the state again — it’s embarrassing that a land-grant university could possibly be unattainable to regular Iowa students.

But differential tuition simply punishes students. Choice of major, class load or public Iowa university shouldn’t have to include financial deliberations.