Tuition increase set for next fall By Neda Simeonova Assistant Editor      For the second year in a row, returning Columbia students will face a yearly tuition hike of nearly $1,000.      According to Michael DeSalle, vice president of Finance, full time students registering for the fall 2001 semester and taking between 12 to 16 credit hours will pay an additional $458 per semester, or $916 for the school year, bringing the new tuition total to $12,516. The increase translates to a jump of 7.9 percent.      For this current school year, students paid $11,600, which was an 8.5 percent increase over the previous year. Last year the projection by the college for this year’s tuition increase was that students would see only a 5.5 percent increase.      “Because of the additional investments necessary for new full time faculty and renovation of new space that we have bought, we thought that it was important to increase the tuition to 7.9 percent,” DeSalle explained.      This year, Columbia would have been in the fourth year of a five-year plan in which the tuition increases would have gradually declined. “(The plan) is out at this point because of the last two years we’ve purchased a lot of facilities,” DeSalle said.      Despite the increase, DeSalle pointed out that Columbia is still one of the least expensive colleges both locally and nationally. “We think it is very competitive,” DeSalle said.      The raise in tuition brings big concerns among students at Columbia. “I’ve got a problem with the new rates. It has been really hard on me. I have a loan that covers half of my tuition and the rest has to come out of my pocket,” said Kim Beggs, a sophomore graphic design major.      This school year has been very hard on Ashourina Yacoub, a freshman, theatre major. Yacoub received only $1300 in financial aid. “I’m not sure if I’ll be able to come back next year and I want to, I really do,” Yacoub said.      “Every year they increase the tuition, sounds like they are thinking more for the school than for the students,” complained Carlos Ferniza, a junior, film and video major. “People will go to school forever!” The Columbia Chronicle would like to hear your opinion on this topic. Note: If your browser does not support multiple windows, click here. Back to top   |   Home Copyright © 2001, Columbia Chronicle Columbia Chronicle articles, photos, and graphics are the property of the Columbia Chronicle and may not be reproduced or published without written permission from the staff, editors, or faculty advisor. The Columbia Chronicle is a student produced publication of Columbia College Chicago and does not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the views of Columbia College administrators, faculty or students.

April 23, 2001 This week in Campus News: Tuition increase set for next fall Columbia teacher, students produce provcative film Area college students unite for poetry Cuban officials visit Columbia More colleges requiring assesment for graduates CCABJ hosts media mixer Students create global campaign News and Notes Search our archive: The Columbia Chronicle is an award-winning college newspaper written and distributed weekly by the students at Views expressed here are not necessarily those of the Journalism Department or the college. Visit the Columbia College Chicago Web Site