International students are an important part of SIU. They not only provide good role models as hard-working students, but they enrich our campus and community with their cultures and customs. Their role at SIU is a vital part of who we are as a University, as are all students, faculty and staff. But the consequences of the proposed tuition increase on international students has been grossly overlooked. As administrators look to raise tuition for the benefit of the University in the future, we must be alert to the fact that it will uniquely affect international students in ways that it won't American students.
In our support of the tuition hike, we noted how the increase will generate the necessary funds the University could use during the next four years - about $8 million from a 18 percent increase in 2003. International students pay more than $250 per credit hour as non-Illinois residential students, compared to $92.70 per credit hour for Illinois residents. That is also the same for non-resident students who are not international students. But international students have additional financial hurdles that American students do not. Spouses, for example, are not eligible for health insurance if they are not students. Thus they must pay for medical expenses out of their own pockets. Their mates, however, are eligible if they are students. Applying for credit cards is another difficult task because many foreign-born citizens lack a credit history.
True, American students also face problems. But the mechanisms in place that assist American students are vastly different from those in place for international students. America is indeed the land of opportunity, and we work to make our country as fair as can be for all who reside here. But sometimes we fall short in that department. This is also the case with regard to American students who have raised the issue concerning how the tuition increase will impact middle-class students.
Tuition opponents have argued that the increase is unfair to middle-class and lower-income students. But as was pointed out in the March 29 "Our Word," lower-income students' financial aid would offset the tuition increase. And as suggested earlier, we recognize the contribution all students make to our campus, including those from middle-class backgrounds. The increase will not affect all middle-class students the same way, but we recognize that it will have some effect.
We also challenged students to accept the necessary burden that sacrifices will have to be made in order to steer our University out of these troubled financial waters. International students are sure to accept that responsibility as well if need be. Still, universities and institutions of higher education cannot expect a tuition hike to have a similar impact on international students as it might on American students. Remember, it was mostly American students who were negatively impacted by the application fee imposed last fall. The University sought to correct this problem through waivers for lower-income applicants.
We urge Chancellor Wendler, other administrators and the University as a whole to show the same wisdom and insight concerning this issue. It is the fair and insightful thing to do.
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
