Students could be in for another tuition increase, if administrators have their way. They proposed a 4 percent in-state tuition increase for both the summer session and for the 2004-2005 school year.
But this time, the decision will not be made without the opportunity for students to give their opinions. An April 8 public meeting will attempt to gain some insight as to how students view another tuition increase. The concept came from Gov. Joe Kernan, who asked that universities hold these meetings to inform and gather information.
It should not take the governor's order to drive a public university to make major decisions subject of a public forum. Gauging the opinions of students, faculty and staff is a new endeavor for Ball State. Hopefully, this motion will start a trend at Ball State.
But the "ask and ye shall receive" mentality only goes so far. In order to gauge opinions, people have to show up to the forums and voice them. Ball State students have been famous for demanding a louder voice, yet not showing up to execute it.
The cycle must be broken, and it takes money -- an issue the two parties care about a great deal -- to stop it.
The university needs money to operate. Students need money to attend school. These components could feed into this issue, making it one of the only times the students come forward to a university willing to listen.
But the university has to make the students know it is willing to listen.
The lack of communication at Ball State between students and administrators is a result of a two-way street that no one is driving. The university has to show students it wants to hear what they have to say. The students have to come forward and speak about the issue.
It seems simple, but public forums have failed both parties in the past. This is an issue that students and the university should respond to. It is up to both to make sure the decision is made with each in mind.
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