After last year's request for a "tuition timeout" fell flat, we think the university's funding requests from the legislature this year were a little more realistic.
Although rising tuition is still a major concern for students and administrators alike, the university's tuition rates have risen every year for more than 20 years. The legislature has shown little willingness to appropriate funds towards lowering tuition and, while it is necessary to keep raising the alarm about ever-rising costs, chasing the dream of a tuition freeze would require much more engagement from everyone.
The $7 million request for the On Your Time initiative shows the university's commitment to a more flexible schedule. Because whether it's a first-year student looking to graduate sooner or a student hoping to study abroad, the four-year model of college is changing.
Recognizing this and funding this program is something the legislature should do if they want to attract students to the state's flagship university and help existing students graduate in a timely and cost-efficient manner. The growing nature of USC means incoming classes will be not only the largest, but also the most diverse when it comes tor educational goals. On Your Time helps them achieve those.
We can see why the university is looking for $3 million more to fund the Honors College annually. However, the Honors College encompasses only a sliver of the university's population, meaning the funding would go to a far smaller portion of students. Incoming classes of recent years have been made up of over 4,000 students — nearly quadruple the size of the Honors College.
While budgeting may not be the sexiest part of the university's involvement with politics, it's essential that the legislature and administration work together to advance the state's higher education.
We can appreciate what administrators are asking for: tools to get some students to a point where they won't need to pay extra tuition costs. But tuition went up again last year, and that affects all of us.