Later this month, the State College Board will convene to raise tuition once again for Mississippi’s students.
Although I would prefer that Mississippi State University set the standard by not requesting an increase in tuition, I would implore upon the university budget crunchers to advise the president to follow in the lead that the president of Jackson State University set last year. While JSU’s in-state peer institutions were requesting up to 5.6 percent increases in tuition, JSU President Ronald Mason asked for a modest 3.2 percent increase. This not only reaffirmed his commitment to the financial plight of students, it showed his strong management skills and ability to thrive in spite of a lean budget.
One president recently said in The Clarion-Ledger that an increase of a few hundred a year shouldn’t worry students because “we have plenty of money available.” He was referring to financial aid, loans and jobs.
Well, some students are worried. The federal government is rightfully attempting to control the growth of spending in the areas of Pell grants and student loans. In this era of federal deficits, students are going to have to cope without an increase in aid every year, but universities should be sympathetic to this fact and make some sacrifices of their own. Every “few hundred dollars” represents another few months that many people will owe the Stafford Loan Department.
According to The Clarion-Ledger, some of our university presidents are preparing to ask for up to an 11 percent increase in tuition. We have gone from a high of 5.6 percent last year to 11 percent. This is partially attributable to the rise in energy costs, but the percentage increase seems high considering that the legislature slightly increased funding.
I am excited that we have a new take-charge retired Air Force General for a president. According to people he has worked with, he is very proactive and hands-on in solving problems.
I am no expert on university budgets, but I would recommend that President Foglesong surprise the state university establishment by requesting an increase no higher than 4 to 5 percent. Not only would he win praise from students, parents and the media, but he could highlight a new style of leadership that makes sacrifices and put students first. If MSU asked for a modest increase of 4 percent, compared to other universities requesting up to 11 percent, many tuition-conscious parents with high school students would likely look at MSU more favorably.
We have to back this up with action. If energy usage is the problem, then the university needs a comprehensive energy saving policy which mandates at least a 10 percent reduction in usage for every university division. If we are going to complain about energy costs, the university has to do something about energy usage on campus instead of asking for an 11 percent increase in tuition this year and an 18 percent increase the year after the next.
There are many areas where we can save.
Turn Off the Lights
According to some reports, lighting accounts for 10 to 15 perccent of electricity costs. Take a stroll at night through campus, and you will see that some buildings are lit up like a building in Las Vegas, while others aren’t. Building employees need to be informed to turn off all lights at the close of business and when classrooms aren’t in use. If we are still utilizing incandescent light bulbs which are inefficient and emit large levels of carbon dioxide, we need to replace them with fluorescent bulbs.
Reduce Heat/Air Use
My biggest crash course on conserving energy was receiving a $69 gas bill for six days of usage at my new apartment. Being used to unlimited usage at Arbor Acres on campus, I set the heat at 80 degrees all day and got a nice bill in the mail which prompted me to cut my usage by more than half.
Unfortunately, we don’t have this mindset on campus because the taxpayers and tuition payers foot the bill. We have to set university temperatures lower and at the very least turn off the heat/air in buildings at night. I love to walk into my apartment with the air blasting, but it’s not prudent to run air/heating units when nobody is in the building. President Foglesong and director of housing Ann Bailey should also lead a public effort to encourage hall students to cut usage in the residence halls, especially in the new and bigger ones like Ruby Hall, which has air units for every room.
Fleet Reduction
People laughed when former MSU President Portera exchanged vehicles for golf carts, but with gas inclining around $3 per gallon and the taxpayers again footing the bill, we need to reduce the fleet even more in addition to mandating a cut in non-essential vehicle usage.
Let’s hope the “People’s University” sets the standard this year.