'Bittersweet Symphony’

IU’s Jacobs School of Music is no doubt a point of pride for the University. The school consistently ranks within the nation’s top programs, in the same realm as the Juilliard School, and the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester. \nIt’s not surprising then that Jacobs School of Music Dean Gwyn Richards, said that “we want our budget to grow with our aspirations.” \nWell, then their aspirations must be taking quite the phenomenal leap, because tuition for graduate students within the school is set to jump by 24 percent should the board of trustees approve a proposal set to be implemented in the upcoming academic year. \nIf the proposal goes through, in-state students will pay about $300 a credit hour up from $241.30 and out-of-state students will pay about $870 up from $702.75.\nThe proposal will also add an additional $800 per semester program fee for all students, both undergraduate and graduate music majors. Previously, the school had assessed a $670 “performance study fee” for students who used the music school performance facilities. \nThe money will be used to help pay for an increase in faculty salaries and for school equipment.\nWe understand that a top-rated institution needs to grow and evolve in order to maintain its reputation. Facilities need to be updated, and faculty salaries need to provide enough of an incentive in order for the school to hire and keep the top instructors in their respective fields. \nDespite some concern that the music school will incur such high costs to students that they will go elsewhere, IU is by no means home to the most expensive music school. Compare IU’s prices to its contemporary and competitor – the Eastman School of Music – where all graduate students pay $945 per credit hour.\nHowever, we feel that the timing of the increase is unfair to students. Most students apply to graduate programs in December or January, and for those who have been accepted are now being faced with significantly higher tuition rates than what they expected when they applied. \nIn addition, it is misleading to students who are already in the graduate program to start off their graduate careers paying one tuition rate, only to have it hiked up 24 percent the next academic year. Compare this to when the tuition rose only 6 percent from the 2004-05 year, to the 2005-06 year – no tuition raise makes students happy, but a 6 percent raise is a relatively manageable one. \nSkyrocketing tuition seems to be a fact of life, but we think the music school should implement this policy gradually. If its raised the tuition by 6 percent last time, why not continue to raise it 6 percent gradually over the next four years, giving students fair notice and time to adjust their finances, student loans and jobs accordingly, instead of putting them in a bind overnight?\nWe hope the board of trustees will take into consideration the burden that will fall on students when they vote on this proposal June 30.