Tuition Freeze--good or bad thing?(WI)

Parents Forum
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<p>I know I may only be a freshman, but what my Gov. just signed scares me. I know it sounds too good to be true. I know, after looking through varies articles with different perspectives, things will get worse before they get better.</p>

<p>Earlier in July, Scott Walker signed in something to freeze tuition UW wide for two years--meaning that all the surplus they(UW board) have been saving--approx 650 million. Mind you this is both in state and out of state tuition. </p>

<p>I know this sounds all so evil and I started to think poorly of the public institution at first. But, I thought and dug deeper into the cookie jar.</p>

<p>Turns out(in my opinion and also in graphs) states have been giving less for aid for public schools(uni's and high schools...Wisconsin esp). This forces the university to charge higher & higher tuition each year which in turns puts more burden on students. Also, should the money be used in a different way other than to simply help "freeze" tuition?</p>

<p>What I have for CC is a set of articles that see this in differing ways. I want parents(but students are welcome) to say their opinions about this, since it worries me so. With the decrease in state funding and increase in surplus usage ultimately cause my uni to shut their doors? Of course the UW school did not give much to begin with(merit is a different story), will the entire system fall because of this coerce on them? I've been up all night thinking about this x.x; Since I am an incoming fresh, I am scared to death to see a hike my junior year so far I cannot pay!</p>

<p>Sure, increase of room and boarding and petty fees, but is it enough to save & pay the bills for soon to come increases? UW is a big vein of schools, and that 650 some million can easily run out within the 2 year "plan" Walker has placed on them. Thanks for those who give thought and input, and sorry if this is in the wrong section!</p>

<p>Articles: The</a> UW tuition freeze is false populism - Isthmus | The Daily Page</p>

<p>UW</a> Regents freeze tuition, draw down reserves</p>

<p>The</a> Badger Herald · UW system tuition freeze expansion to include out-of-state, graduate students</p>

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<p>Google University of Maryland tuition freeze.</p>

<p>In particular, look for a Feb. 17, 2010 article in the Washington Post, describing the positive results of a four year tuition freeze starting in 2006: “End of Two Eras at U-Md.: President and Tuition Freeze”.</p>

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<p>Here’s the WP link:</p>

<p>[End</a> of two eras at U-Md.: President and tuition freeze - Washington Post](<a href=“http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2010-02-17/news/36902812_1_tuition-freeze-11-campus-system-mote]End”>http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2010-02-17/news/36902812_1_tuition-freeze-11-campus-system-mote)</p>

<p>How can you be “concerned” about a 2 year freeze, and then be “concerned” when the school gets to increase tuition after the freeze? With a little bit of thought, you should realize your overall tuition cost will be lower for 4 years, with a two year freeze in place, than without. </p>

<p>As a rule, most parents, especially those that have spent years saving $ for their children’s college expenses, are not “happy” with the rate colleges have been increasing tuition. </p>

<p>UW-M’s average tuition for 2009-2010 was $8,310. For 2012-2013 it’s $10,378. This increase happen during a recession.</p>

<p>[College</a> Navigator - University of Wisconsin-Madison](<a href=“College Navigator - University of Wisconsin-Madison”>College Navigator - University of Wisconsin-Madison)</p>

<p>The propose freeze should only use up about 210 million (out of the 650 million surplus), so UW-M is hardly “hurting”.</p>

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<p>The only bad thing was building such a large surplus in the first place. That money should have been spent on those that paid the tuition. The UW President quietly resigned last week. Most would say as a result of this major mistake in strategy. Madison was very happy to see him gone. He was uncreative and helped block more independence for UW Madison from the UW System. Madison just got a strong new chancellor and I expect better days ahead.</p>

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<p>@East</p>

<p>Still, I wonder if this will work out? Anxiety or just over thinking for me, but will it work for Wisconsin?</p>

<p>@Gator
I’m still not convinced that it should be like this…I know I sound pretty stupid thinking this, but why don’t they use the funds to fund more kids need-based and merit-based than freeze tuition altogether? That way they could bring in more students. </p>

<p>@barrons</p>

<p>I find that true, but it’s not like it’s to be unexpected. I don’t know the old UW President, or his reasons for so much hike in tuition, but I feel like it may have been to save for further state cuts. Wisconsin has stopped being generous to the public school system since around I started high school. But, I guess it all relies on how new leaders face problems.</p>

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<p>Tuition went up to offset cuts in state funding thru the 2000’s. It remains below average in the BIG as others did likewise for same reason. The surplus was built over just the last few years. Before that they did not hold large surplus. Obviously that was smart. Spend it when you have it or state will just take it away thinking you don’t need really need it. First rule of working in gov agency.</p>