Students protest tuition increases

With the possibility of another tuition increase, a group of students is attempting to do something about it.\nFrom 3 to 6 p.m. today, six students from professor James Moskowitz's Y100 American Political Controversies class will host an information table on the subject in front the Sample Gates on Kirkwood and Indiana Avenues. The table will serve as the group's attempt at a peaceful protest.\nThe main objectives of the event are to provide information to students about the tuition increases in the past, the latest tuition increases being proposed and ways to avoid them.\nFreshman Matt Noble, a member of the group from Moskowitz's class, said the tuition increase issue carries importance to the group because of the direct ramifications to students.\n"We thought it was important to pick something close to home and close to us," Noble said.\nSophomore Brian Myers said the group chose to host the table as part of an in-class project on the topic of taking action in the community. After conducting research, Myers and his group are prepared to present information about how higher education is financed. \nAnother topic the group will talk about is tuition increases announced in 2002 for the fall 2003 semester. Myers said the main group affected by these increases is incoming freshmen.\n"We want to bring about attention to the (increased) fee for freshmen next year," Myers said. "We really want to come out strongly against the increase because freshmen have a mandatory live-in next year."\nThe group will also discuss additional tuition increases which may be issued later this year. \nIU spokesman Bill Stephan said any such increases would not be announced until late spring, after the Indiana General Assembly meets.\nStephan also said University administrators are very sensitive to student concerns about tuition increases, both past and future.\n"The University has been working very diligently to contain costs," Stephan said.\nHe cites decreased funding from the state as a main cause of increased tuition within the past year.\n"It is different than it was 25 to 30 years ago," Stephan said. "Then (higher education) was viewed as a public good. Now that thinking has shifted because (education) benefits the individual, and that's why you see rising tuition."\nThe group from Moskowitz's class plans to have a petition available at their table for students to sign. The group will send it to all the officials they can, including University administrators. \nStephan said he encourages students to organize and contact members of the Indiana General Assembly with concerns they may have. \n"That kind of activity does have an impact," Stephan said.\nFor the group from Moskowitz's class, learning about how tuition is paid for has provided an opportunity to let their voices be heard.\n"You can really make a difference and make a change for the better," Noble said.