After last year’s attempt to alter the MSU tuition guarantee, ASMSU plans on taking a different approach for changing the policy in 2001.
ASMSU’s Academic Assembly unanimously passed a measure Tuesday suggesting a change to the guarantee. ASMSU is MSU’s undergraduate student government.
“This way ASMSU has a formal position on the guarantee,” said Jeff Ziarko, ASMSU director of university, governmental and budgetary affairs, about the bill’s approval.
The proposal, which was composed by Ziarko, suggests that tuition rate increases for the next four years be held to the approximate rate of inflation plus 2 percent.
“It is by no means the only possible solution, but it’s our suggestion,” Ziarko said.
The tuition guarantee was established by MSU President M. Peter McPherson in 1994 to keep tuition rate increases at the level of inflation projected by the U.S. Consumer Price Index.
ASMSU passed a bill last year to campaign for changes to the tuition guarantee. The measure was considered by the MSU Board of Trustees, but was tabled.
“They are different proposals, but they share a common goal,” Ziarko said. “The primary goal is to ensure the quality of the undergraduate experience.”
However, because of a lack of appropriation funds provided by the state Legislature, the Board of Trustees was forced to make the guarantee contingent on progress made in closing the per-funding gap among Michigan universities.
“It’s a partnership between us and the state,” MSU Trustee Bob Weiss said. “If the state can’t keep their end of it, then we have to get away from the guarantee.”
But Weiss said he is unsure of whether he supports the ASMSU proposal.
Because of the change, the board is not obligated to follow the guarantee when considering tuition increases.
Therefore, Ziarko said, it is necessary to establish changes to ensure that the policy remains.
“From our perspective, it’s a little frightening,” Ziarko said about the current situation of the guarantee. “(Our proposal) means they would have the flexibility to enhance the quality of academic programs through the policy.”
While students may object to ASMSU supporting a tuition hike, Ziarko said it is necessary for the university to have enough funding for students to receive a quality education.
“Low costs are not so meaningful if the quality of education is low,” Ziarko said.
Still, Chairperson of theBoard of Trustees Colleen McNamara said she likes the bill’s intention and admires the student government’s enthusiasm.
“I love the fact (ASMSU) is thinking like this. It shows a definite understanding of the policy by the students,” she said.
While the measure gained approval, ASMSU does not plan on taking immediate action.
