The recent 18.5 percent tuition increase the regents passed is fair. Those who benefit most from education – students – should pay more than the current amount.

The state university presidents want this increase (less state funding guided their thinking). The state has better uses of money than subsidizing wealthy families’ tuition. A 15 percent increase five years in a row would change tuition from extremely inexpensive to very, very inexpensive. A 20 percent increase would change it to very inexpensive.

18.5 percent is only $576 (there is also a small fee hike), a tremendous bargain. In-state tuition will still be subsidized thousands of dollars. If tuition were already doubled, a very small dollar increase would probably be readily accepted by students; they can be glad they’ve paid an incredibly low amount.

Tuition is a bargain with increased wages a degree usually generates and an improved life.

The increase should be welded to more financial aid, including grants – higher tuition doesn’t necessarily equate with less accessibility, and there are excellent, less expensive community colleges.

There are scholarships; some businesses pay workers’ tuition; education IRAs have tax advantages; education expenses can be tax deductible; the Legislature should reinstate work study money. If taxes aren’t raised because of lower funding, many students and families financially benefit; they benefit from a better Iowa when funding is shifted to other programs.

Last year, I suggested to legislators that tuition be doubled in five to six years – 16.6 to 20 percent yearly based on the first year’s tuition. Similar universities will probably have substantial increases, so doubled tuition might still be below average.

Legislators against funding decreases and substantial tuition increases may think they’re representing their constituency, but perhaps the consensus says otherwise. Even last year’s University of Iowa Student Government approved the 9.9 percent increase. Many university workers welcome higher tuition to increase salaries with an ample, fair, reliable funding source. Many K-12 parents want more K-12 funding – lower tuition subsidies makes that less difficult. Legislators might pick up some election votes if they change their legislative votes.

John Gelhaus

Iowa City