College tries to soften budget blow on students

States across the country will suffer budget cuts in the next year, raising concern that even more job losses are in the future. Some students wonder if paying for college is even possible in the current economic times.

In response to recently leaked information to The Kansas City Star about potential budget cut measures, the college quickly stated there is no need for students to be alarmed about how that will affect them and their educational fees for next year.

At a town hall meeting held on March 6, Terry Calaway, college president, said the state will reduce funding to the college by 10 percent. In addition, funding from county assessed property valuations will drop about 4 percent. Thus, the college is forced to cut the budget by about $5.7 million.

Dennis Day, vice president, Student Services, assures students that the college will do everything so that these cuts will affect them as little as possible. “The state and local money is less than last year, but the college will function the same regardless,” Day said.

“Budget issues should not come as a surprise to anyone as this will affect all colleges and universities. But we will make sure that these cuts won’t be affecting students themselves much.” In the town hall meeting, Calaway also discussed how enrollment figures at the college are expected to increase in the summer and fall semesters.

Financial aid applications for fall have now reached 1,500, a significant increase from last year. The counselors report more students are walking in and the college may pass 20,000 enrolled students in the fall.

As part of the stimulus package passed by congress, revisions to federal student aid has increased money available to students next year. Federal Pell Grants have been increased by at least $500. More financial aid applications and grant aid as well as loan funds are available to those affected financially by unemployment or underemployment.

The proposed budget for 2009-2010 is slightly over $134 million, six percent lower than the current year’s. The Board of Trustees is expected to approve a $4 per credit hour tuition increase for the fall semester at their May meeting. Ethan Taylor, student, is not opposed to the increase, but feels this is the wrong time to ask for more student money.

“Everyone feels the effects of the economy right now,” Taylor said. “Many students have to work to put themselves through school, some working three jobs just to try and get an education. While I am not against a rise in tuition out right, I am definitely against the timing.”

One student believes the college is justified in increasing tuition because of what other area colleges and universities charge. “I think it is reasonable,” said Brooke Stebbins, student. “KU’s prices are unreasonable. A $4 increase is completely reasonable based on what other schools cost around here.”

Taylor believes part of the reason why students often oppose tuition increases is due to a lack of understanding of how that extra money will be used. “If used correctly I think that the money from tuition increase can be beneficial to the student body,” Taylor said. “The problem is that the majority of students have no idea how it will be spent and would rather something from the budget be cut rather then have to pay more money.”

The budget committee is finding ways to accommodate to all the tax cuts and Calaway assured that the state funding cuts were not as severe as feared, so the drastic measures reported in on the Star’s PrimeBuzz blog will not be needed at this time.

Chris Christensen, program director, Financial Aid, wants to make sure students remember that even with the current economic times, a college education is definitely available for everyone. “What students must remember is that education is an investment, not an entitlement to those who can only afford it,” Christensen said. “You must sacrifice now to gain something in your futures. You must make sacrifices in coming to school whether it is financially or sacrificing time.”

Sara Jawhari is special to the Ledger. Matt Galloway contributed to this story.