Tuition hike strikes diversity hard

By Robert Baptiste

Let me be the 103rd person (this week) to moan about the most recent tuition increase proposals.

I originally thought to give you the top ten ways to conserve your money, but since last year¡s increase has put the majority of us on a strict diet of ramen noodles anyway, this column needed a different direction.

The university encourages us to celebrate our diversity.Œ

Diversity on our campus exists in many ways such as academic backgrounds and campus activities. But a more recognizable difference is the diversity brought to campus through ethnicity and hometowns.

So let¡s take a look at this possible tuition increase. Out-of-state students will have $1,300 more tuition to pay in addition to the $900 boost of student fees.

Among this pool of the affected are international students, and a great deal of our multicultural student population who are from out-of-state.

Unlike many Iowa residents, we aren¡t legacy students who have had generations of Cyclone loyalty.

I came to Iowa because of the then competitive tuition and the scholarships I had.

But now, it¡s costing more and more to stay here ¢ and Iowa State has not readjusted any of its aid. The people I know who¡ve already left ¢ victims of tuition attacks ¢ can¡t be counted on my own two hands.

It¡s hard to forecast my own future as a Cyclone at this point. Iowa State is losing some of its brightest campus figures: students who are going back to their home states, even home countries, because it¡s just not feasible to stay here anymore.

With the start of this school year, Iowa State lost a third of its Native Hawaiian student population ¢ with just one student transferring home.

Admissions brags about the countries, states and ethnic groups represented on campus ¢ but with the latest of increases, just one of many to come, the profile of Ames is about to change dramatically.

Although Iowa State has diversified in recent years, the next couple of years could be traumatic without out-of-state and international students bringing a flair to campus and a juxtaposition to life in Iowa.

Here¡s a new theme for the regents to sing to next year: Iowa Universities: Celebrating our paychecks.Œ

Decreasing returns as tuition slides up scale

By Rishab Chandra

As we go through our university bills yet again, the apprehension increases to see the actual figure to be paid with other additions to it. This hike in tuition is certainly debatable.Œ

In today¡s economy it has become even more difficult for parents wherever they are in the globe to support their children through college. The alumni look up to their school to help their child attain the same high-quality knowledge which was once conceded to them. But that¡s not the case. Instead the university has increased the fees and made this process of education a daunting task for the students and parents.

The issue that often rises in my mind is that students from all over the world have come to this university to gain the best knowledge available. This cause has been hampered as the resources at the university seem to be scarce, although there has been a raise in the institution¡s demands. An example of this being the shortening of the laboratory hours in all the major colleges at Iowa State.

It has made it even more difficult for the students to manage their time. Now they have space only until midnight to finish their academic responsibilities as the labs shut down, adding even more pressure.

As we walk on campus the site of new construction is clearly evident all over. Do we really need this? If the school is going through budget cuts, why invest in such expensive ventures? This money could be used to fill in the deficit in the budget and provide the facilities once again which have been cut rather than increase liabilities and maintenance cost of these new buildings.

There are several arguments opposing this notion of tuition increase which can be brought forward with valuable reasons to support them. Most of the students here at Iowa State are looking for a justified reason for this raise as they carry out their task of education in vain here at Iowa State.