SGA debates midyear tuition hike at meeting

Morgan Reihl / staff photographer Chappalear Hall Senator Katie Friend (right) enganges SGA's debate about proposed tuition hikes.

The Student Government Association discussed its opposition to a midyear tuition increase at its weekly meeting Tuesday night.

Saying he plans to lead the student body in combating a possible midyear tuition increase, senior Andrew Dudik, student representative to the Board of Visitors, was the senate's keynote speaker.

Because of the current budget deficit, Gov. Mark R. Warner has proposed cuts to university funding statewide. All departments within all universities turned in budget cut proposals that explained how they would handle a 7, 11 and 15 percent cut. The governor is scheduled to announce the initial funding reduction during a statewide broadcast speech Oct. 15. JMU will announce what its tuition rates for next semester will be by Nov. 13, according to Dudik.

Dudik told the SGA the Board of Visitors expressed concerns about the budget cut and possible tuition increases during Friday's meeting. "We had [cuts] of 9 percent last year; we can't really afford another one," Dudik said.

According to Dudik, the student body has to act now to oppose the possibility of a tuition hike.
Dudik said he plans "to contact each and every board member to discuss the issue. If it does come to the point where a decision has to be made, a special session will be called to decide on the matter. What we can do is pack that meeting."

Dudik asked the SGA to carefully watch finances, saying, "Every dollar we save as a student body is a dollar we save as a university."

He also asked them to keep an open dialogue between the student leaders and the student body and to pass a bill of opinion opposing a midyear tuition increase.

After his presentation, members of the senate asked questions and voiced concerns. Several students asked where the lost money would be made up if not in tuition and if faculty could lose jobs over the matter.

Morgan Reihl / staff photographer Andrew Dudik, student representative for the Board of Visitors, spoke against midyear tution hikes to the SGA.

"I am not rich or anything, but I am willing to pay a little bit more to keep JMU's quality of education high," freshman senator Matt Taylor said.

Dudik replied, saying, "We do run one of the best public institutions in the [United States], but if we tax these people too much they won't be able to afford to come here anymore."

Sophomore Senator Katie Friend echoed Dudik's concerns. "I speak for all of the out-of-state students when I say if tuition goes up again a lot of students will not be able to come back," she said. "Last year's tuition increase really set me back a lot. It may be difficult for me to come back if it rises again. If JMU wants to become a nationally known school, they can't keep raising the tuition every time there is a problem."

Dudik said he felt the issue has not yet been given enough thought by those in charge of making the decision. "The board members really do care about JMU," according to Dudik. "Perhaps what the problem is Dr. Rose is telling them this is what we have to do. I don't think they have looked hard enough. There has to be an alternative, there has to be."

Dudik ended by saying there are currently no plans for alternatives. "Nothing is on the table right now," he said. "I think that is why we need to take action. We can't be a scapegoat every time there is a problem."

SGA Vice President of Student Affairs Lindsay Walther-Thomas reminded the SGA that this was an opportunity for them to represent the students and encouraged senators to go out and speak with their constituents.

No legislation was considered by the senate Tuesday night.