Remember when Oakland University increased tuition by 8.48 percent for the 2015-2016 school year? My wallet certainly does. It’s weird because although I paid almost 8.5 percent more for the same education, it didn’t feel 8.5 percent better. That was last year.
This year, the board has voted to raise tuition another 3.9% for the 2016-2017 school year. This is absolutely ridiculous! A 12.38 percent tuition raise over two years is basically twice as much as the recommended tuition hike for two years (6.4 percent). As a student, I am outraged. I am a Dean’s List student and work my butt off academically. I have also worked anywhere from 16-32 hours a week during classes to try and pay for some of my bills. I understand education is expensive, but raising tuition this much, without providing more, is an atrocity.
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Part of the reason that Oakland has been getting away with this is the high volume of college students in the area. Macomb County has one of the highest percentages of high school graduates that pursue a higher form of education in the country. Lots of these people still want a great education while living from home (it is cheaper), and pick OU. Oakland knows that it will continue to have a high volume of new students each year, and takes advantage of this. While it makes economic sense to take advantage of the high demand, it is still not fair to the students who already pay a lot to attend the university.
If Oakland University was using the tuition spike to offer new classes and majors, offer more help finding graduates jobs, or improve the dreadful math department, then it wouldn’t be as bad. But they are using the money on other things. A day or two after the vote to raise tuition, Oakland hired a new chief human resources officer, to the tune of a $261,000 salary plus benefits. I am sure this job can be done for far less money, just like any of the other officer positions.
The other thing I found on where my money has been going to was truly disgusting. An article recently came out and informed everyone that Oakland officials spent $150,000 on a trip to Florida this February. Of course a large portion of this went towards airfare, hotel fare, food, and alcohol. The purpose of this trip was to receive money and donations. Reportedly, $2.7 million in “asks” were made during this trip. If even half of those asks are fulfilled, then why such sharp tuition spikes? Also, these trips, where officials meet with alumni and donors, typically cost a heck of a lot less than $150,000.
It’s for me to reason why I should go to Oakland University instead of Michigan State. As far as in state tuition is concerned, they are dreadfully close in price. Michigan State will look a lot better on my resume and I am more than smart enough to succeed there. At the rate each school is going, a four year degree will cost less at Michigan State than Oakland University for freshman entering college. Oakland University needs to stop pushing their luck while they’re ahead.
As students, we need to let the officials of Oakland University know that we will not stand for this. Voice your opinions! Share this articles, or articles like it. Write emails to the higher-ups of the university. Don’t just sit back and empty your bank accounts.
