http://www.statenews.com While a preliminary estimate from university figures project a 7 percent increase in tuition for the 2008-09 academic year, the tuition rate is not remotely close to being solidified, MSU officials said. en-us Foundry4 Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:25:19 -0500 Tue, 06 May 2008 13:09:19 -0400 webmaster@statenews.com http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16544/view Only a 7% increase, YAY! It’s only this cheap because of the 5.25% increase in housing or yet again we would see a 12% increase. Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:05:51 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16544/view http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16547/view What do you expect in a state that doesn’t have the jobs to keep the people it graduates? Pay what you have to pay and then get the hell out of that state. There is life outside of the Mississippi of the North. Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:25:16 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16547/view http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16608/view Lou Anna states, “Like every family in America, we’re facing inflationary costs the highest they’ve ever been in our country. You have to make choices.” How are you combating inflation by raising prices? Let’s all just keep raising prices forever because everyone else is. Dumb, dumb logic. We have to learn to control our spending- like the rest of the country. Professors make enough money. It’s funny- the university fought tooth and nail against giving people who could use the money- TA’s- yet, they are more than frank about the desire to give already overpaid professors a 5% increase. I also love how our University justifies it- “well, we’re not the worst offender in the Big Ten.” Just because other people are doing something, doesn’t mean it is right. Stop the injustice and provide a fair and reasonably education to all people. If you can’t manage costs without inflating prices by 7% every year then you are doing something wrong. The funniest thing is everything you learn in college you can read at your local library for free. I’m not paying for my education, I’m paying for some arbitrary organization to claim that I’m capable of going through 120 credits of bullshit so that I get a better job. The state of the American university is ridiculous. I think students should have the option of self-learning and passing the final and midterms for 1/4 of the total cost of class. Why should we be paying for sub-par lectures, since most ‘researchers’ suck at teaching, and other junk? Besides, self-learning is a much better way to go through life, considering that is what the real business world as well as graduate school expects you to do. Fri, 25 Apr 2008 03:59:49 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16608/view http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16609/view ...reasonably priced tuition… sorry Fri, 25 Apr 2008 04:00:59 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16609/view http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16613/view reasonably priced tuition? Ok, first let me say that not all of our families are well-off. Most are struggling to put their kids through college and are going deep into debt. Many families are desperate to find a solution for paying their kids’ tuition and here MSU is raising the tution price AGAIN! This year, tuition went up 9.5% and now it wants to go up another 7%. I’m sorry but the increase in tuition is only going to give families even more things to worry about. Is there any way that us, students can protest the increase in tuition? Fri, 25 Apr 2008 06:41:23 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16613/view http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16636/view That’s what I was saying. It’s garbage that it already is as much as it is, let alone the constant increases the past few years. But then again, Lou Anna has to make $500,000 plus and heavens forbid the administration not get to undertake in a project it wants to do. Why are they constantly redoing the coffee shops and Spartys? Settle on one thing and move on. The problem is that modern day society demands we go to college to have a better chance of getting ahead and there are no restrictions on what universities can charge. We’re forced to go here and they don’t begin to care what it costs us. Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:10:02 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16636/view http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16662/view Johnny, Lots of students at universities all over Michigan are upset about the rising cost of tuition. Members of Students for a Democratic Society have been trying to come up with a campaign to combat this. Check out th enational website newsds.org or the local chapter at MSU (they are called INCITE) to get together with more students to do something about tuition. Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:23:38 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16662/view http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16673/view It’s such a refreshing feeling to know college is a business foremost in our generation, before an education. Even after my graduation to MSU, along with last year’s tuition shenanigans, the thought of paying back all of my loans is sickening. THANK the good lord President Lou Ann Simon makes all my loans consolidated, in just one month. MSU (and our State) are spending money on foolish programs/athletic incentives and could save students ten fold if they controlled their spending ....Wait…. they pay those who work on campus around minimum wage, so I take back all the bad things I’ve said. Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:22:54 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16673/view http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16687/view Just so you all know, that increase to the TAs added a good 1.5% to that number, which means it’ll be higher than 7%... plus the 5% raise to professors will increase it a good 2.5-3%. In other words, increases in wages to TAs and Profs by themselves = 4.5% tuition hike. (and no thats not guessing those are hard figures). Just thought you’d all like to know. I’m glad i’m graduating! Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:10:14 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16687/view http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16704/view Actually, the university factors those increases into the overall budget, and releases that information to the community well in advance of the date when faculty/staff/employee increases are determined. You can find this information at the website for the Office of Planning and Budgets. Nice try with the made up numbers though. Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:02:15 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16704/view http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16719/view Yet another hike in tuition…the university doesn’t realize that most students that attend this university are using loans. As a student with loans this just stresses me out even more when I have to think about how much I will have to pay back. Why doesn’t the administration take a cut or not raise professors pay? Everyone else in Michigan is experiencing the hard economic times but the professors get a raise? Doesn’t make much sense to me… Sat, 26 Apr 2008 18:06:05 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16719/view http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16723/view Sparty’s operations are not affiliated with MSU. They pay to lease all of their locations and do not receive funding whatsoever. In fact, 50% of their earnings at the Cyber Cafe are claimed by the Main Library. Sat, 26 Apr 2008 21:37:38 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16723/view http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16740/view This is absolutely ridiculous. As an out of stater here at Michigan State it’s getting harder and harder to afford coming here. It’s not fair for single parent families trying to afford this school. I came here because I loved this school and we thought we could afford it. If I wasn’t graduating next year or wanted to spend more than 4 years at school I would have already transferred to a cheaper school. The increases are getting out of hand, I’m already paying too much money for an education where half my classes are a complete joke. I think some serious changes need to happen at this school and start making it affordable to everyone. I’m starting to wonder if my time and money were well spent here. Mon, 28 Apr 2008 10:36:27 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16740/view http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16751/view College is expensive, get over it. College is a business, if you think it’s too expensive, then leave or go to CC. No one is forcing you to go here. The reason MSU and other universities raise their prices is because we are willing to pay for it. Michigan has some of the cheapest in state tuitions in the nation. Stop complaining about how expensive it is and use your brains. Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:42:39 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16751/view http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16752/view You guys should go to a LCC. First of all, every national university that is Public, especially in Michigan, has to increase their tuition when funding by the State is decreasing. Well, if you want to maintain your reputation. If not, you could just lower tuition, see how people start losing interest in your institution (profs leaving) and see how you drop in the rankings. On the other hand, the higher in the rankings and the most academic recognition you get, the more money you have as an institution and the quality of the education improves. I really, really, do not care what people say about MSU. It is one of the best institutions in the World. The fact is that people (most of them MSU students, ironically) say that our professors are stupid or that the classes are ridiculous. Well, let me talk about that. It has been proved that college students when talking about “stupid” or “joke” classes, they specifically refer to hard and difficult classes (There is a recent study regarding this topic and the rate my professor website). So, do not be dumb. MSU has great professors and it is constantly hiring new ones of high caliber. Tha is one of the reasons why hiring college professors takes so much time (and the tenure system and all that), because you do not hire anyone. You look for the best one. Also, when students say that what other classes do they use to compare? Another thing, salaries of presidents of national caliber institutions have always been high. They earn it because they have to deal with maintain and increasing the quality and the reputation of prominent and important institutions. And, Pres. Simon has certainly earned it. After all, dealing with the bad publicity of Cedar Fest is not easy. Also, when you guys refer to this being a business, what do you mean? The last time I checked everything is paid with money, everything is a business. Whether your education is from Oxford in the UK or from a CC, everything involves money because there are employees that have to be paid and programs that have to be funded. Finally, if you do not want to pay work for it…study!! That is why scholarships are for. If you are one of those mediocre students that just gets a 2.0, hates all the professors (at least the hard ones, the ones that challenge you intellectualy), goes in pj’s to every class, do not do homework…(bad attributes)...you will probably have to pay your way through college (every penny!). On the other hand, those students that work hard and recognize that MSU is a great place to study, to develop intellectualy, professionaly, to meet new people…(good attributes) you will probably get, at least, some help (not loans or anything like that, scholarships!). So, everyone hear should think a little more about their ideas about college and, specifically, about MSU. HINT: VISIT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES WEBPAGE AT WWW.MSU.EDU AND WATCH WHAT THEY DO IN THEIR MEETINGS. Get involved, get to know MSU!! Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:05:11 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16752/view http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16753/view You guys should go to a LCC. First of all, every national university that is Public, especially in Michigan, has to increase their tuition when funding by the State is decreasing. Well, if you want to maintain your reputation. If not, you could just lower tuition, see how people start losing interest in your institution (profs leaving) and see how you drop in the rankings. On the other hand, the higher in the rankings and the most academic recognition you get, the more money you have as an institution and the quality of the education improves. I really, really, do not care what people say about MSU. It is one of the best institutions in the World. The fact is that people (most of them MSU students, ironically) say that our professors are stupid or that the classes are ridiculous. Well, let me talk about that. It has been proved that college students when talking about “stupid” or “joke” classes, they specifically refer to hard and difficult classes (There is a recent study regarding this topic and the rate my professor website). So, do not be dumb. MSU has great professors and it is constantly hiring new ones of high caliber. Tha is one of the reasons why hiring college professors takes so much time (and the tenure system and all that), because you do not hire anyone. You look for the best one. Also, when students say that what other classes do they use to compare? Another thing, salaries of presidents of national caliber institutions have always been high. They earn it because they have to deal with maintain and increasing the quality and the reputation of prominent and important institutions. And, Pres. Simon has certainly earned it. After all, dealing with the bad publicity of Cedar Fest is not easy. Also, when you guys refer to this being a business, what do you mean? The last time I checked everything is paid with money, everything is a business. Whether your education is from Oxford in the UK or from a CC, everything involves money because there are employees that have to be paid and programs that have to be funded. Finally, if you do not want to pay work for it…study!! That is why scholarships are for. If you are one of those mediocre students that just gets a 2.0, hates all the professors (at least the hard ones, the ones that challenge you intellectualy), goes in pj’s to every class, do not do homework…(bad attributes)...you will probably have to pay your way through college (every penny!). On the other hand, those students that work hard and recognize that MSU is a great place to study, to develop intellectualy, professionaly, to meet new people…(good attributes) you will probably get, at least, some help (not loans or anything like that, scholarships!). So, everyone hear should think a little more about their ideas about college and, specifically, about MSU. HINT: VISIT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES WEBPAGE AT WWW.MSU.EDU AND WATCH WHAT THEY DO IN THEIR MEETINGS. Get involved, get to know MSU!! Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:05:42 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16753/view http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16768/view Once again we see a major failure in the education system. Education is the biggest issue I believe we are facing in America these days, and raising costs and lowering quality is not the adequate way to combat the issue. I can’t see how building a multi-million dollar football facility can help further our educational achievements considering most MSU students will never see the inside of this building anyway, yet we pay more and more each year. Education has almost become a catch 22 in Michigan. You want to free yourself from poverty, then enroll in an institution and educate yourself, but beware, after four years, you are now in debt up to your neck and most likely can’t escape Michigan’s failing economy and are now trapped in an apartment for the next fifteen years attempting to survive and pay back student loans. As a freshman, I fear for the economical future of Michigan State because of decisions like these. Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:06:02 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16768/view http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16783/view Has this university ever heard about locking in tuition our freshman year? I just don't get it. If they are looking at and comparing MSU to other universities, they could at least consider that as an option. But… oh wait. They are hungry for money just like every other business. Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:52:59 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16783/view http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16784/view Perhaps the university should work on a higher percentage of out of state students and their associated higher tuition. We would get better students, willing to pay a higher price. They also might be studying on spring evenings rather that attending drunken brawls. As long as the state is unwilling to pay the same support they did 20 years ago, another approach to balance the books is going to be necessary. It is not an option to freeze the salary of faculty. We need to be recruiting new faculty all the time. We have to stay competitive. (I’m not on the University payroll) Just a thought Tue, 29 Apr 2008 23:19:07 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16784/view http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16808/view Didn’t they just approve an increase in income for teachers? Fri, 02 May 2008 09:14:28 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16808/view http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16833/view It’s not all MSU’s fault: Our government prints money backed by nothing of value. This means it can print any amount of money it needs. Year over year, the amount of backed-by-nothing money has risen about 20%. Inflation is NOT the 3-4% the govt claims it is, but rather 10-15% or higher at this time (partly because of the printed, worthless money). In this context, a 7% tuition hike is reasonable. Moreover, if you are investing for your retirement and making anything less than 15-20% return, roughly speaking, on your investments per year, you are LOSING money to inflation. Kind of makes you snigger at 4% money market funds, doesn’t it? (Ugh. It is too painful learning more about the US economic system. If the American Sheeple knew how bad the economy is, and how much the government manipulates and lies about it, they would be running through the streets [and campuses] with pitchforks.) Actually an individual is much better off incurring student debt right now than investing, because with the inflation and massive dollar devaluation going on right now, the amount you owe over time gradually (or precipitously) will decrease, not increse. Tue, 06 May 2008 13:09:19 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/16833/view