A 7.2 percent increase in the overall undergraduate tuition was announced by University President Rev. Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J. on April 2, 2002 through a letter sent out to parents.

And parents are not pleased.

“I am disappointed,” said L.W. Ulbricht of Medfield, Mass., father of Sarah Ulbricht ’04. “I would much prefer to see a fixed tuition for the four years. It should be feasible to have a budgeting plan that would allow for this.”

According to Doug Whiting, assistant vice president of public relations, the tuition increase was triggered by multiple factors, including a need for competitive salaries. Pay rates will be increased by two percent in an effort to keep a competitive edge among other private colleges.

In addition, there has been a decline in enrollment of the graduate and continuing education programs and an enhancement in Food Services, including an increase in cost for running the dining facilities in Barone. These factors, along with new large-scale Internet connections in the campus center and the newly renovated Bannow Science Center, greatly impacted the need and decision to raise tuition costs, according to Whiting.

Besides the overall tuition cost, there will be a seven percent increase in dormitory room and board and four percent raise in townhouse rental and apartment living. Many students feel cheated, considering townhouses are being made to accommodate an extra person in both four and six-man houses next year.

“I don’t think it’s fair that townhouse residents who are forced to have an additional resident face an increase in rental charge,” said Marisa Muzix ’03. “They should get a discount, like the freshman in forced triples.”

There is a silver lining, however, said Whiting. While students’ tuition bills may be growing in size, there will be an increase in the university sanctioned Financial Aid. A ten percent increase from $16,079,000 in 2001-2002 to $17,600,000 in 2002-2003 will benefit many students who receive financial aid.

“We think that $17.6 million is a good sum in scholarship investments made through the university and philanthropy,” said Whiting.

This makes many students, including Jenn Mochi ’04 who receives aid, more comfortable with the hike in prices. “I don’t mind the tuition increase as long as my financial aid increases as well, keeping the same tuition-aid ratio as past years,” said Mochi.

In terms of monetary figures, the undergraduate tuition will increase to $24,100 from $22,430, room and board residence hall charges will be raised to $8,560 from $8,000, townhouse rental charges will increase to $6,640 from $6,390 and apartment rental charges will be $7,200, an increase from $6,930.

Whiting has heard of no complaints so far. “I am not aware of any complaints, but it’s not unusual to raise concerns,” said Whiting. “An increase in tuition is natural to expect and there’s an explanation based in reality. It’s just the cost of doing business. But look around the campus, you can see the improvements. With the increasing reputation of the university and the quality of academics, spending will go up.”

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