<p>According to this [url=<a href="http://www.dailyprogress.com/cdp/news/local/education/article/uva_may_tap_fund_to_pay_for_priorities/13841/%5Darticle%5B/url">http://www.dailyprogress.com/cdp/news/local/education/article/uva_may_tap_fund_to_pay_for_priorities/13841/]article[/url</a>], UVA's endowment is now over $5 billion, and the University plans to use more of the money for "enhancing the student experience; increasing international education, research and service; and boosting science and technology research."</p>
<p>Keep in mind that UVA's COO also stated on Friday that tuition and fees will increase by no less than 8.5% for 2008-2009. That figure was based on the projections before the yet-to-be-determined budget cuts from the state. </p>
<p>Looking at the six year plan, the tuition increase probably won't be 10%, but I bet it's very close to that figure. </p>
<p>The dining plan only increased by 5% for 2008-2009, which isn't bad considering the food riots and the farm lobby. I don't see how Aramark will be able to maintain quality at that low an increase.</p>
<p>I am really hopeful that Congress might yet consider legislation that would make it a requirement for colleges to "spend down" some of their endowments , and actually aid students directly, through better financial aid packages or tuition increases that don't outpace inflation. I thought I had heard that something like this was proposed, and ideally would require colleges with high endowments to use them for benefit of students or risk losing their tax exempt status.</p>
<p>Really, mamacass? Finance and economics must not be your best areas of study.</p>