Student Government Association representatives have been promoting their tuition and fees plan to student organizations as part of an ongoing awareness campaign.
As of Tuesday, representatives had visited Greek Life fraternities and sororities. Representatives also visited the Student Governing Board, Hispanic Business Student Association and the Vietnamese Student Association.
"As student leaders, it’s our job to make sure school stays (as) affordable as possible, and it’s our job to develop ways for students to pay for school at the same time," SGA Vice President Samuel Dike said.
Since the campaign began Jan. 21, representatives have met with approximately 12 student organizations.
Dike said it’s important to inform students of what’s going on in the administration and how the processes work.
"We put things into perspective for students," he said.
The five-point plan calls for a tuition freeze for the 2008-2009 school year, a guaranteed tuition plan that will enable incoming freshmen’s tuition and fee bills to be locked for four years, half off for summer school classes, a tuition cap on any future increases at 6 percent and increasing the family contract plan, a plan that offers students whose families have an annual income of $25,000 or less need-based scholarships or grants.
The plan proposes to increase the amount to $40,000.
The Tuition and Fees Review Committee, which met in January and early February, tentatively agreed to increase the amount to $30,000 for Fall 2008, offer summer tuition discounted by half during Summer IV and cap tuition increases at 6 percent for two years.
Vice President of Academic Affairs Donald Foss said the University would eventually increase the family contract plan to $40,000, but did not specify when it would be enacted, The Daily Cougar reported last week.
Sociology senior and public relations chairman for Sigma Phi Epsilon Justin Knapp said he believes the five-point plan is a good idea.
"I’m all for anything that can help control tuition," Knapp said.
Knapp said he applauds the SGA for being active in the University, and he supports the SGA for having realistic goals instead of promising something that can’t be obtained.
He also said cutting summer tuition rates in half was a "terrific" idea.
"Summer school is great for making up classes, and it’s a fantastic idea to help raise grades," he said. "I’m a firm supporter of David Rosen and his administration, and I hope the next (SGA) administration carries on the same legacy."
SGA Honors College Sen. Jonas Chin said it’s important to inform as many students as possible about the tuition plan because it affects the entire student population.
"It’s about empowering the students’ voices on this campus so the administration knows what students are saying," Chin said.
Chin said the main reason the SGA Senate wants to inform students of the five point-plan is because it was created to help students by being a fair, predictable and accountable tuition policy for coming years.
Biology junior Ashley Wheelock said her tuition and fees have gone up since she came to UH in 2006. She said she’s paying $500 more this semester even though she is taking fewer hours.
"I think it’s a good idea to lower (tuition), or at least make it more stable," Wheelock said.
Mechanical engineering freshman Stefan Reynosa agreed.
"There are a lot of students that are paying their way through school without the help of their parents," he said. "For some of us it’s a challenge, and lowering the tuition rates would benefit the student body."
