In “Why the U. of California Has to Raise Tuition”, President Mark Yudof addresses students directly, explaining why the University of California will raise their tuition costs and fees by 32 percent over the next two years, which would range from “$7,788 to $10,302 increase.” His article is a response to the anger and suffering of many students, professors and faculty, who are arguing to preserve the current and affordable costs of tuition. Yudof explains that the decision to raise tuition is due to California’s economic crisis, in which the “state can no longer be a reliable partner in funds,” have reduced funding towards California’s tuition. Because of this situation the state has put us in; the universities of California must raise student …show more content…
Raising tuition that high is irrational to current and future students, especially for those who are just above low income to middle class like me. My family barely makes enough money to get by in food and shelter but since their income does not qualify for financial aid, I have to pay the full tuition cost, including the 32 percent increase. I grew up with the knowledge that college was affordable to all students but is shocked in the sudden news that it can no longer be in California. How can my parents’ income be able to support themselves and my tuition with this sudden increase? With Yudof’s current action, students like me are suffering to pay for further education that we can no longer afford. Current students like me may have to disenroll due because of the fact that they cannot make the higher tuition payments. Even prospective students can no longer look at the universities of California as an option in applying due to its costs.
Raising tuition is not the best solution in this economic situation. Other solutions should be used rather than increasing fees like cutting down the unnecessary events, construction, supplies, and services at the universities. There can also be solutions with professors such as job placement plans or employment opportunities instead of cutting their salaries, hours, or jobs severely. If intuition continues to increase, there are other …show more content…
He assumes that if the UC can’t raise tuition, we will have greater consequences in return “than paying a higher paycheck”. That does not make sense. The consequences he state swill not outweigh the pain in suffering we would have to go through if the UCs continue to raise tuition. Students will be able to bear large classes, be limited in courses and use outdated supplies because it would be a better option than paying an increase we cannot afford. Students would rather cut costs and cope with these hardships in order to continue their education. These ‘consequences’ will only make students stronger. We will work harder and be more motivated than ever to continue for a very fortunate education in which we can pay. It is like buying a new or used car. An average student would usually be in the middle class, dependent on their parents’ income, would pick a used car like a Toyota Camry rather than a new Audi car because that is all he/she can afford. Students would reason that a Camry would still perform its purpose, traveling, just as an Audi. A Camry may not be as fancy or as great with unnecessary needs as an Audi, but it can still be as good as one, all it needs is a tune up. With that analogy, students would not mind bearing those burdens because in the end, they are still getting the ‘purpose,’ their education. As this discussion shows, cutting costs rather than