Friday, November 3, 2006
Penn State tuition will increase for Fall 2007
College is an expensive way to receive further education, and most students rely on linancia! aid or stu
dent loans to help them pay for it. Every penny counts for a college student, and their pocketbooks are
about to take another hit. Student tuition at Penn State Behrend will rise again, as it does almost every
year, at the beginning of the Fall 2007 semester. Last year’s slight increase was the low est percentage in
years.
The percentage of the tuition increase has not been released yet, and Penn State sources say it will not
be known for sure until the Spring of 2007. The amount of tuition has. however, been predicted in the
informational packets that Penn State University is sending out to prospective students to give them an
idea of the financial challenges they will be faced with. Behrend’s predicted cost lor the 2007-2008 school
year is $11,574 for Pennsylvania residents and $17,450 for out-of-state residents. These numbers can be
compared to the current school year's cost of $10,446 for Pennsylvania residents and $15,994 tor out-ol
state residents.
The University predicts additional costs of $7,400 for room and meal expenses, $ 1,360 tor textbook and
supply expenses, and anywhere from $1,200 to $2,400 for travel and personal supply expenses per year.
This brings the total expenses for one year of college to $21,374 for in-state residents and $27,250 lor out
of-state residents.
The prices may seem outrageous at first glance, but according to Behrend Financial Aid directors, there
are very few students who pay the full price for their college education. Behrend's Assistant Director of
Financial Aid, Jane Brady, said that, "Behrend alone gives out roughly $BOO,OOO a year in scholarships,
and the students here have $3.5 million from all sources.” Brady went on to say. "The Stafford Loans
limit will be increasing, so that students can take out more loans."
Though the price escalation to attend Behrend may become frustrating, it is necessary. "It costs money
to recruit the best faculty, and to cover expenses, especially technology expenses because we want our stu
dents to have cutting edge equipment,” said Brady. “We have to spend this money so that Penn State can
stay ahead of the curve."
Students can rest assured that their tuition money is going to a worthy cause, as opposed to something
that would not increase the quality of their education. Penn State is one of the largest universities in the
nation, and its success through the years has been overwhelming. The charges tor the university may go
up, but so does the quality of the education that is being passed on to the students paving these charges.
College is not cheap, and Penn State is not the only university that increases its tuition almost yearly.
Inflation is inescapable, and all that a student can do is simply try to make ends meet, because once they
receive that Penn State diploma, there are no limits to the experiences and opportunities that await them
in the outside world.
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By Scott Muska
staff writer
NEWS
-GE GRAD* YOU
,;ta S. Weryha/THE BEHREND BEAC\
Some of Pciin Stale Behrend's finest professors gathered Thursday alternoon to diseuss the war in Iraq and help stu
dents understand the fuels about the problems in the Middle East and how America has interacted.
Thursday afternoon. Behrend professors with backgrounds in journalism, communication, history,
political science, and religious studies participated in an open forum on Iraq, The School of Humanities
and Social Sciences sponsored the event, along with the Sample Center for Civility. The forum was well
attended by both faculty and students. Dr. Richard Aquila moderated the forum.
Kim Young, journalism professor, said that we are currently in "one ol the most shameful periods in
journalism ever." She said that the media just repeats the mantra that is spoon-fed to them, and tows the
party line. She points out that responsible journalists who try to report that 600,000 Iraqis have been
killed, along with other negative information, face severe repercussions. This summer, she plans to be
imbedded in Iraq to bring some ethical responsibility to the situation.
The event ran long with students asking questions of Young and fellow panelists. Dr. Mel Sundin
brought the experience of a seasoned communication professor. Dr. Ralph Eckert brought a historical
perspective to the discussion. Dr. Chris Cook explained the political implications of the situation, and
Dr. Charles Brock provided the clarity of his extensive study of Islam and Christianity.
By Jerry Pohl
calendar page editor
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The Behrend Beacon I
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