Let’s face it, after the last few years of continuous economic downturns, college students nationwide have somewhat adapted to the extra money pinching of our already feather light pocketbooks.
The skyrocketing textbook prices, limited pre-paid meal plan options, and general rises in cost-of-living expenses seem all too normal in the quest for higher education.
Even with financial aid received by students who qualify, the ever-persistent grumbles over the difficulties of making ends meet grow louder with the dawn of each new school year.
When will the line in the sand be drawn, limiting any additional costs to the education we desire for the futures we’re encouraged to reach for? According to my tuition and fees statement for this semester, we shouldn’t hold our breaths.
The SHSU Cashier’s Office itemization of tuition and fees listed online states that the average cost for an in-state undergrad with 15 semester hours is $3,257.25 or $465 for every three hour course plus fees. Since my statement reflected about $3600, my initial thought was that I sat on the above average side of the spectrum.
However, when I dropped my online Intro to Sociology class after finding out I already met the requirement with a previous class, not only did my tuition and fees drop to the average 12-hour undergrads, my jaw mimicked the drop at the figure listed under the “Return to Student” section of my charges and payments Statement.
A whopping $870 would be refunded to my Higher One account for getting rid of a class I’d never officially hike to and/or sit in a formal seat for.
How is it that a course that requires virtually no direct interaction with its instructor costs almost double the amount of a course with weekly professor-to-student contact?
When you think about the electricity saved, the classroom that opens up for another class, and the decreased stress on the professors with much less paperwork, one would believe that the online course would in fact be cheaper.
Unfortunately ladies and gentlemen, the exact opposite is occurring. Every time we opt out of the traditional classroom setting, a smile widens behind closed doors-one which we may never see.
Convenience typically comes with a price, but an additional $400 per online class on top of our already high tuition, fees, and books seems a bit absurd.
If the money is going to bonuses for our instructors, it’s a bit depressing that it must come directly out of the student body’s pockets.
If it is going to another on-campus statue for the late great General Sam Houston, I’m sure there will be a petition to halt such activity in the near future.
Nevertheless, the money I received back from the class will be put to good use – two months of rent and change for the electricity bill is a pretty good tradeoff for a class I was advised to take, but really didn’t need in the first place.
Maybe now, that grumble will grow loud enough for university officials to notice and (hopefully) become concerned.
