The time for Ball State University students to speak out about the increase in tuition has finally come and university officials care about your opinion - kind of.
There will be a public hearing at 1 p.m. in the Park Hall Multipurpose Room to discuss and ask questions about a proposed 4.39 percent tuition and fees increase for the upcoming school year.
How much will the comments from this public hearing determine if the Broad of Trustees passes that proposed increase? Probably not a whole lot.
The Board of Trustees has never rejected tuition and fees increase proposed by the university in more than 10 years. In addition, Vice President for Business Affairs Randy Howard said during the weekend that he is unsure if the nine Broad of Trustee members will even attend this state-mandated hearing before voting on the issue Friday.
The possible absence of the Broad of Trustees, undoubtably makes this meeting look like nothing more than a dog and pony show and something that would not even take place if it was not state law.
Regardless of who is in attendance though, there is a reason for students to still attend the meeting - this is the only legitimate opportunity any student will have to voice their opinion about the tuition increase for the next two years.
Every year it is almost guaranteed that tuition at Ball State will increase for some reason - and most of the times for very valid reasons such as inflation and to help fund university improvements. The proposed tuition for the 2009-10 school year will be more than double the price of tuition 10 years ago.
Whether you think tuition prices are ridiculous or reasonable, now is the time to voice your opinion.
Despite the possibility of the Board of Trustees' absence, there will still be high ranking university officials at the meeting. Howard said most likely President Jo Ann Gora and a majority of the university's vice presidents will be in attendance to listen to people's remarks.
It is easy to not go to this hearing and think whatever you say won't matter in the long run. There may be some truth in that logic, but without speaking out now you will never know what difference your voice could have made on the situation.
To be taken seriously at this hearing, students also need to come with serious ideas and comments.
Yes, every student wishes Ball State would waive all tuition and fees, but that's not going to happen. Instead, do a little research, find out what other universities are doing and be prepared to explain your stance on why tuition or a fee is justified or unjustified.
That type of discussion will make this meeting more than a state-mandated hearing and will give your viewpoint more validity. Those types of arguments may even have a better chance of influencing the Broad of Trustees' vote Friday.
Every student at one point in their time at this university has probably complained about the price of a Ball State education. Now is time to take those concerns to the people who have the influence over those decisions.
The chance your voice makes a huge difference in the tuition increase debate may be slight, but it is a chance every student should take this afternoon.
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