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News Mercyhurst tuition crosses $30,000 mark
By Joshua Wilwohl Editor-in-chief Students will need to delve deeper into their pockets to pay for next year’s tuition. A hike of 6 percent will bump the current main campus resident price tag of $29,691 to $31,482. The commuter bill for main campus will increase from $21,891 to $23,286. Mercyhurst College Vice President of Finance Jane Kelsey said the increase is necessary because the school relies heavily on student tuition for revenue. "We need to pay for science lab renovations…and keep the faculty at the college," she said. Kelsey said Mercyhurst does not have a large endowment, such as Harvard University, which is able to cover most costs such as construction. Kelsey said Mercyhurst’s endowment is currently $28 million, an increase from $22 million just a few years ago. Harvard’s is $25.9 billion, according to the university’s Web site. "Twenty-eight million is small," she said. "This is because we’re a relatively young institution…and we don’t have the endowment to cover (certain) costs or offset financial aid." Kelsey said a tuition increase of 6 percent is normal, noting that the college has bumped tuition an average of 6 percent over the past 18 years. In the 2004-05 academic year, resident tuition was $24,891 and commuter tuition was $18,093. She did not know the national average for tuition increases and said that figure is not calculated until later in the year. Kelsey said, however, that 16 other private colleges in the area, including Allegheny College, will see an increase in tuition costs. Dr. Scott Friedhoff, vice president for enrollment and communication at Allegheny College, said the school’s tuition, including room-board, and comprehensive fees, will increase 6.67 percent to $40,000 for 2008-09. Of the 16, according to Kelsey, Mercyhurst ranks in the bottom four for tuition increase. "We want to maintain being a low-cost intuition," she said. "But, we need a bare minimum with education and utilities." Kelsey said Mercyhurst does not get state funding since it’s a private institution, but it does obtain grants that help pay costs at the college. "Grants and contracts are a way through research opportunities that you’re able to fund a teaching position or other projects," she said. Students said they want to see tuition level off. Sophomore Elizabeth Gallea said updating the college is good, but there’s a point where a tuition increase is too much. "It’s always good to continue updating facilities, but they just increased it last year," she said. "You’re going to get to a point where future students don’t want to come because it’s too high." Junior Amber Cerzantez said if the college is going to increase tuition, it should spend the money wisely. "It seems that they have a lot of money, but they use it in areas they shouldn’t and that could be used in other areas," she said. "I’ve heard they rent out flowers, etc. for big events, but they could use that money to build an athletic field or something." Kelsey said the college does not simply decide to increase tuition, but takes into account factors before making the decision. "We don’t blindly give budget managers the task to increase tuition," she said. "We start in the fall of each year and look at College Board to see what the state is doing with tuition." College Board is a Web site for students, parents and professionals that provides an in-depth look at a college or university. Kelsey said the college does not take the tuition increase lightly. "I know there are families that see this as a significant increase and we do understand that," she said. "We’re always looking for ways to increase tuition as little as we have to." Sophomore Kyle Hart said tuition is becoming costly. "When will it stop?" he asked. "That’s what I want to know." Kelsey said to help decrease the stress of college costs, Mercyhurst is implementing a federal direct lending program in the 2008-09 school year. This program, according to Kelsey, is the best option for students with loans. "We’re watching closely on what lenders are backing out," she said. "Alternative loans are shrinking and we’re taking a harder look at families." Kelsey said students who are having trouble paying their tuition bill should contact the financial aid office at (814) 824-2278.
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