The Daily Iowan, IA
11-07-06
Higher out-of-state tuition increases would negatively affect university
DI Editorial Board
The state Board of Regents will meet Wednesday and Thursday in Ames to
discuss possible tuition increases at the three state universities: the UI, Iowa
State University, and the University of Northern Iowa. The proposed increases
at the UI are of particular importance.
Percentage increases for Iowa residents and nonresidents are higher than those
of the other two regent universities, and the UI is the only one with an increase
for nonresident tuition that is greater than the increase in instate tuition. Raising
out-of-state tuition in such a manner will make increasing or even maintaining a
diverse student population at Iowa more difficult.
The proposed tuition increases are 6.1 percent for residents at Iowa and 7.2
percent for nonresidents, with yearly tuition costs of $6,273 and $19,445
respectively. In contrast are Iowa State's increases of 5.1 and 3.5 percent and
UNI's at 4.7 and 3.3 percent. Both schools also have significantly lower tuition for
nonresidents. Nonresident rates are understandably lower at ISU and UNI,
because both have a higher instate student composition. For example, UNI is
made up of 91 percent Iowa residents, and there just isn't enough of a demand to
allow for much higher out-of-state tuition.
The rationale behind the proposed increase on the UI's out-of-state tuition is the
makeup of the students; approximately 63 percent of UI students are from Iowa.
Given the high percentage of out-of-state students at Iowa, officials reason that
there is a greater tolerance for increases in out-of-state tuition without negatively
affecting enrollment - unlike the other state universities, which have a larger
percentage of Iowa residents.
Though it may be true that the number of out-of-state students will remain high,
the problem comes in the effect this will have on diversity at the university.
Currently 5,144 undergraduates hail from Illinois, vastly outstripping all other
states not named Iowa. With nonresident students primarily coming from Illinois,
the presence of varying backgrounds on campus is limited.
Part of the difficulty in attracting students from neighboring states is the inability
of Iowa to compete in terms of tuition. Minnesota, Wisconsin, and both Dakotas
all have reciprocity with one another, charging lower tuition to nonresidents from
those states.
The increases also bring back questions regarding future funding from the state.
The "zero funding" controversy that occurred earlier this fall with the regents has
made financial issues concerning the universities questionable. How much
financial security does the university have from the state, and how much will be
shifted onto resident and nonresident students?
The financial problems of the state shouldn't be shifted onto prospective UI
students. It will be a detriment to expanding diversity in students at Iowa, and it is
unfair to unload funding difficulties because of state stinginess.