Regents: Consider No Tuition Increases Next Year

[IcSyU]

Fair enough but I don't think many people understand that some of those changes are going to change significantly the capabilities of all three schools. I don't think many people have really thought it through, but it's a handy excuse to voice some righteous indignation (and I'm not referring to you, but the folks in the statehouse).

Changes have to be made. The path we're currently going down isn't sustainable. When times are good (now) this path is ok but you can't just throw money around and hope for the best (what Iowa State is doing right now). Amazingly, every other public university in the country seems to find a way to get students through without $30,000 in debt to accompany them at graduation. Iowa State is failing miserably in that aspect. Drastic changes need to be made. Short term pain will make long term prosperity attainable. Success of Iowa State University shouldn't be measured by the number of enrolled students and I think right now that's the only thing they care about.

 

[LutherBlue]

Changes have to be made. The path we're currently going down isn't sustainable. When times are good (now) this path is ok but you can't just throw money around and hope for the best (what Iowa State is doing right now). Amazingly, every other public university in the country seems to find a way to get students through without $30,000 in debt to accompany them at graduation. Iowa State is failing miserably in that aspect. Drastic changes need to be made. Short term pain will make long term prosperity attainable. Success of Iowa State University shouldn't be measured by the number of enrolled students and I think right now that's the only thing they care about.

A lot of them do that by (1) admitting fewer middle-class kids, (2) charging more tuition (ISU is still a relative bargain), and (3) providing more -- surprise!! -- need-based institutional aid.

I agree that the current model is unsustainable and there is certainly a lot of room for argument about how they are going about their business. I don't begrudge you that one bit. I just encourage everyone to think through the effects of what they are suggesting -- there are going to be some big-time sacrifices to be made as you have already pointed out.