UNT tuition increases by 73 percent since enrolling 5 years ago
North Texas Daily, 3/6/2003

COLUMN: Senior Andy Hogue details the increases in student tuition and fees over the last six years, encouraging students to contact the administration about their concerns.

I would not have believed the total cost of an NT education would increase by more than half by my graduating year.

Here I am two months away from the big day, and it has increased by 73 percent.

Given, I have been at NT since '97; the economy roared in wake of the dot-com boom and the people of North Texas were more prosperous than ever before. Saving money was the last thing on the average student's mind.

For example, I stood against a well-funded Student Recreation Center fee campaign in 2000, believing the plans for facilities were too exquisite. Although NT is a primarily commuter campus, the "no" campaign garnered 119 votes, suffering a major defeat to thousands of "yes" votes.

How times have changed! The dot-com bubble bursting and 9-11 sent the American economy into a nose-dive. Enrollment increased, as it generally does during recession and military buildup, as students seek refuge and student loans in the safety of a university community.

Let's take a look at what else increased for a student taking 15 hours: In academic year 1997-98, the cost was estimated $1,053 total.

This semester, the total is at $1,782.50 Basic tuition (set by the Texas Legislature) increased by more than half; from $510 and a General Use Fee of $296.25 in 1997-98 to a flat $1,320 this semester.

The Student Services Fee has increased from $105.60 to $195. And don't forget the Rec Center fee will stick you with a $75 fee in the fall.

As for the "small potatoes" fees, the Medical Services Fee, which funds the Health Center, increased from $24 to $33; a Publication Fee, funding the Bulletin and Schedule of Classes, rose from $7 to $13; and an International Education Fee, funding study abroad programs, jumped from a whopping $1 to $4.

Although the miscellaneous charges have only increased by about 2 percent, they do add up.

Understandably, the Technology Fee (formerly Computer Fee) rose from $71.25 to $108 to provide our computer labs with up-to-date equipment.

Somewhere along the line a Student Records fee was added at $5.50 and a Library Use fee at $60.

None of the fees decreased, though the Identification Card fee stayed put at $3.

I urge my fellow students to stand against fee increases until the economy improves.

Join the Student Government Association Senate, write the members of our Board of Regents a heartfelt letter or respectfully lobby administrators.

Together, in the last four years, we have blocked about $500 in would-be fees. Even by voting against the original Athletic Fee, we cut the cost in half.

To those of you who voted "no," your vote was not in vain.

Times are tough, and NT students will surely bear the brunt of university belt-tightening.

As for me, it looks like I'm graduating just in time before tuition skyrockets.

Forget what other universities are charging. NT has educated the general public affordably for generations; it's our noblest tradition.

If only we can avoid the pitfalls of elitism and institutional envy.

I chose NT, not just because it was affordable, but because it wasn't afraid to give anyone a chance.