Students sound off on latest tuition increase

Students at the University of Detroit Mercy have mixed feelings about the news that tuition will be raised four percent next year.

President Donald Taylor said last month that the board of directors had recently approved the raise, which will mean that undergrad students taking between 12-18 credits on the McNichols campus will pay $16,150 per term, not counting room and board or any financial assistance they may receive. Gwen Jackson, a part-time Communications major and recent transfer from Macomb Community College, thinks the increase is “outrageous.”

Jackson, a mother of a family of five, said she understands inflation has increased over the years but feels the university should be offering more to students with the added revenue. Jackson said she works full-time and has a small scholarship that covers less than a third of her tuition.

She said she hopes to see changes to campus, or at least more funds for tuition assistance programs, which is something Taylor said the university is exploring.

Sophomore Alex Khorey said he doesn’t fully buy the reasoning behind the increase.

“I feel like this may be a money grab hiding behind inflation, but that’s not necessarily any different than any other college or university,” he said. “It’s just kind of how things are.”

Taylor said in an interview with The Varsity News last month that Detroit Mercy’s increase is lower than at other colleges in Michigan, with many local schools proposing up to seven percent price hikes to offset inflation.

Other students, however, say they understand UDM’s need for additional funds.

The McNichols campus is currently undergoing major renovations, including a new Student Union, modernizing the Shiple Hall entrance and purchasing more land to create additional green space and an intramural sports field, according to the campus renovations page on the Detroit Mercy website.

But some say they’d like more details on where the money from tuition goes.

“This university provides a great educational experience that supports stu- dents in building their futures,” said Senior Jeremiah Steen, who is preparing to graduate. “However, if they continue to increase tuition their transparency on how the money is being spent must increase as well.”