Remember the first time you wrote a check for over $1,000?

For many students, that check may have been made out to Iowa State University.

Well, the State Board of Regents is in the process of deciding exactly what amount each of us will be signing over to the university next fall.

The Board Office recently made a recommendation that the Board raise tuition by 5.2 percent for the 1999-2000 academic year, which is about two percent above the rate of inflation.

The proposal will go to the Board next week.

Now, don’t throw down your paper in disgust just yet.

Our opinions will be considered — but only if we voice them to someone other than our roommates, such as the Board members themselves.

According to the memorandum, the student government of each state university will survey students regarding the tuition increase, but we shouldn’t rely on a mere sampling of students to represent our viewpoints.

All students will get a chance to voice their concerns on Sept. 23 and 24 at the Board meeting in Iowa City.

This is our big chance.

A few years ago, the Regents actually changed the tuition rate during the process due to student feedback, so we shouldn’t assume the decision is out of our hands.

According to the memorandum, the tuition proceeds at ISU will go toward student financial aid, inflation, library acquisitions and services, learning communities, the four-year graduation plan, study-abroad programs, graduate assistantships and computing and information technology.

If we don’t agree with these allocations, we need to speak out and let our views be known.

After all, it is our money that is at stake.

One thing to remember — even though our university bills seem high each September and January, ISU is still less expensive than most of its peer universities.

We are lucky to have such affordable education.

However, that does not mean we are forced to sit back and take any changes that come our way.

Let’s take advantage of this opportunity to make our education fit our ideas of education, not just the Board’s idea.