Students oppose tuition hike

By Eric Krol

Although Sunday’s weather was bright and sunny, NIU students reacted negatively to the dark cloud of a tuition increase.

An informal and unscientific poll of more than 100 students taken on campus Sunday revealed little student support for the 5 percent tuition increase passed last week by the Board of Regents.

“Who could possibly support it?” freshman Chris Locke said.

Sophomore communications major Jodie English, a member of NIU’s Student Association, said she doesn’t think the increase was necessary.

The main concern about the increase seemed to be whether NIU administration was spending money wisely. Kimberly Peotter, a sophomore English major, asked, “Is it legitimate or are they really mismanaging our money?”

Sophomore political science major Brian Townsend said he feels the same way about the tuition hike, adding he doesn’t “think they should start worrying about branch campuses until they have the problems at the DeKalb campus solved.”

Victor Carranza, senior communications major, said the Regents “should find ways to cut the fat because it seems so easy for them to pass it on us.”

Junior biochemistry student Richard Shippy suggested the administration allocate funds to different areas. “They aren’t using our money wisely. They should get more money involved in other areas besides the business school,” Shippy said.

Expenses such as the sculpture for the King Memorial Commons came under fire as well. “Students voted against buying this statue and we’re going to pay for this thing anyway,” said freshman political science major Heather Kiesling.

Sophomore Arnold Libuano said he opposes the increase because college students have other things, like food and rent, increasing next year as well.

The hike really didn’t affect some students.

Freshman communications major Jennifer Egeland said the 5 percent increase didn’t really hurt, but anything higher would have affected her.

“Hey, I’m graduating in May and I’ll soon be an alumnus,” said senior computer science major Jeff Paradowski.

One student thought the tuition increase was reasonable.

“We have to increase tuition because our wages have gone up and prices are going up. I’m not in favor of it and it’s coming out of my pocket, but I realize the need,” said Michael Bryant, sophomore business major.

The tuition hike will cost full-time students an extra $43 per semester.