Interim President Robert Berdahl addresses student concerns regarding rising tuition costs by referring, in part, to the rising numbers of enrolled students: “We’ve added 4,000 students in four years. That puts pressure on all of the existing resources to support students.” Berdahl hosted a tuition summit meeting with students in the EMU on Thursday evening, discussing rising tuition costs and how the University system handles student funds. (Michael Arellano/Oregon Daily Emerald)
A group of 15 students met with interim University President Robert Berdahl@@checked@@ Thursday night to discuss issues surrounding tuition increases and various other grievances. In a two-hour meeting, many topics were discussed, but no demands or policies brought by students were finalized.
President Berdahl — along with a panel of other administrators, including Vice President for Student Affairs Robin Holmes, Vice President for Finance and Administration Jamie Moffitt and Vice Provost for Enrollment Management Roger Thompson@@checked all names@@ — took questions and propositions regarding University policy and funding.
Students first brought up issues surrounding state funding misappropriation, claiming that Measure 11 — a ballot measure on mandatory minimum sentencing of criminals — is a major reason for lack of state disinvestment in higher education. Students demanded the University administration back legislation or measures repealing Measure 11.
Alexandra Flores-Quilty,@@checked@@ ASUO fine arts and cultural commissioner, brought a revised policy on academic withdrawal to the table. The policy would change the current policy to allow students who qualify for medical withdrawal to be absolved of their tuition from that term. The group heard testimony from Tania Sarabia,@@checked@@ who was in a situation fall term in which she was forced to leave the University due to health issues, was forced to pay her entire term’s tuition and was placed on academic probation.
“We need to consider this and look at what the ramifications might be,” Berdahl said.
Students requested Berdahl consider signing the policies they brought before him, but he denied, saying he needed to peruse each policy suggestion thoroughly with his staff before he considered signing anything.
University Senate President Robert Kyr@@checked@@ was also on hand. He promised the student group that he and the rest of the faculty senate are going to help in any way they can.
“We can take these issues and research them in our way to come back with reasonable solutions,” Kyr said.
Students brought up other issues they had regarding athletic spending, which were also quickly stifled by Moffitt. Moffitt — former assistant athletic director for finance and administration — explained that the athletic department’s overhead rate will be re-examined this summer and that the supposed 2.8 percent of their budget that comes from the University is mostly the payment for tickets from the ASUO at a 50 percent discount.
Students finally turned to the 6.1 tuition increase at the end of the meeting. They wanted an explanation of why money wasn’t allocated from other places so that tuition increases weren’t necessary.
Moffitt said that every extra University dollar is invested in either infrastructure or is already allocated to each University department to pay for hiring and more resources.
“You’re getting a good education here,” Berdahl said. “Yes, it’s costing you more than it should, but it will be worth it.”
ASUO Programs Director and student leader Michael King@@checked@@ said he was generally pleased with the meeting despite not getting Berdahl to approve any of their policies or demands. He is glad these discussions have opened up and is hopeful that they continue throughout the summer and into next year.
“We definitely think both the policies we brought today could have and should have been signed,” King said. “But we are happy to be able to carry this discussion forward.”
