BY JADEN MOUNT
The cost of obtaining a four year college degree will continue to grow for the next academic year.
On May 20, the Kansas Board of Regents received proposals from the six public universities on tuition costs for the 18-19 academic year. All proposals increase tuition costs at least 1.1% at Kansas State University to 2.8% at Kansas University Lawrence campus. Fort Hays State University’s tuition cost for undergraduate and graduate students will increase 2.5%.
Mike Barnett, FHSU vice president of administration and finance, states the increase will help cover university expenses.
“…what that covers is the continuing inflationary increases and various operating expenses,” Barnett said “Employee benefits, health insurance costs continues to go up. I think this year it’s running about 7% increase…that we pay as part of the employee’s compensation package. That along with a small increase in utility cost and just general inflation running about 2.4[%] for the year.”
Though FHSU has increased in enrollment, surpassing Wichita State University, the growing number of students has increased costs. What revenue is made goes to university projects.
“We do operate on a margin with every credit hour we produce,” Barnett said. “We create a little bit of excess revenue that we use for other projects, some of the building projects and things like that you see going on campus.”
Rising tuition and other college expenses have become a major concern across the nation, prompting political debate over the issue.
In the 2016 Presidential Election, Democratic Primary Candidate Bernie Sanders gained national attention for proposing to make university tuition free for students. The Vermont Senator attracted a mix of support and criticism for the opinion. Republicans had specific concerns that U.S. citizens wouldn’t trade free college for higher federal taxes.
On May 24, Kansas Secretary of State and Republican Primary Governor Candidate Kris Kobach claimed rising tuition costs were due to universities granting in-state tuition to illegal immigrants.
The proposal of the tuition raises has yet to be approved by the Board of Regents. A decision is likely to come later this month.