This is in response to the letter from John Gelhaus in the Nov. 26 Daily. I must disagree with your opinion that an 18.5 percent increase in tuition is fair. As you stated, the ideal increase is one that will benefit students and faculty, as well as increase the quality of education. Our current increase may have these benefits, but the main reason the current increase is this high is due to an oversight in state government, resulting in reduced funding to Iowa schools.

Also, to address another misconception, you quoted that tuition is “only” being increased $576. For out-of-state students, this hike results in a figure above $2,000. If this keeps up at your proposed rate, we will drive students out of Iowa, both in-state and out-of-state alike. Iowa State used to represent the ideals of a land grant college – higher education should be open to all. By increasing tuition, college becomes an elitist institution, only accessible to those who can afford it. Keep education affordable for all people, not just the upper class.

Jacob Reynoldson

Junior

Computer science