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Show 1'at.M- 4 Signpost May 2, 1978 To OMQ UP MIH 0 1M2 To UfllT INPUTS Editorials Rising tuition, inflation may kill enrollments By Michael Hunsaker ASWSC President The Board of Regents voted in November, 1976 to recommend a raise in student instate tuition. In early 1977, the Utah State Legislature voted to raise student tuition at Weber State College $17 per quarter. Later that same year, the Board of Regents again recommended a "modest" increase in tuition levels. Consequently, during early 1978, the Utah State Legislature voted to up the Regents' recommendation, and a $12 per quarter tuition increase resulted at Weber State. While these events were happening, the Signpost ran front-page pleas for help to fight those tuition increases, and concurrently, Weber State student government also requested students to help fight those tuition increases. The response to those pleas and requests was certainly underwhelming. In two years, fewer than nine students at WSC were even mildly involved in the fight for tuition remaining at a minimum. At least five of those nine students had scholarships. Tuition costs can remain low, but only if the students start acting like they are concerned. Nine students in two years hardly indicates an overwhelming concern. If some concern isn't shown on the part of the students, soon many of us won't be students. The Signpost and student government want to help, but only students in large numbers can be effective in holding the cost level of tuition at a minimum. Contact them and show your concern. When the regents and legislators see so few voice concern, they think the majority of the students aren't concerned about tuition increases. No wonder tuition keeps increasing. There are good reasons for low tuition. Thomas Wolanin said, "Education beyond high school is a right, not a privilege." Our country has grown to be the world leader in almost every category as a result of that philosophy. As the cost of tuition increases, many other costs such as housing, food, transportation and insurance are also increasing. Students are systematically eliminated from higher education for financial reasons. Those students who are eliminated are those of the middle income bracket who will, in the long run, pay the costs of education in taxes anyway. In a study conducted by the University of Wisconsin, it was concluded that for every one percent reduction in tuition costs, a 1.3 percent increase in enrollment would result. Studies made in other states indicated that states with low tuition levels enroll twice as many of their own high school graduates as states with high tuition costs. Some say Utah is spending too much on higher education now, but the percentage of the Utah State budget spent on higher education has actually gone down in recent years. There have been many ways proposed to alleviate the high tuition problems, such as low interest loans, government grants and delayed tuition payment. However, the New York College Entrance Examination Board has stated different ideas. They say, "For those who struggle with the uncertainty of securing adequate financial assistance, as well as facing a massive bureaucracy of countless and complicated need-analysis forms, financial aid regulations and office hassles, this high-tuition, high-aid strategy becomes a barrier rather than a door to a college education." No amount of rhetoric, cost-benefit analysis or financial aid strategies can ensure student access to a college education like low tuition. Vr -J Are national parks for peace, quiet, or TV spectaculars? by Brad Hart Since when do our national parks give preference to commercial ventures? Maybe since last weekend. While on last week's Outing Center trip to the Grand Canyon in Arizona, our group made an overnight stop in Zion National Park. Our plans called for a morning hike to the top of Angel's Landing, which we were able to make. But we found, first of all, that the peace of the park was being destroyed by persistent round trips of a helicopter from the bottom of the canyon to the top of various points facing the sheer cliff which climbers George Willig and Steve Matous were scheduled to climb Saturday. Upon reaching the top of Angel's Landing what to our wondering eyes should appear but an ABC equipment truck, a full-size passenger bus, various cars and trucks and what seemed Signpost letters policy The Signpost welcomes letters to the editor from the campus and community. If possible, letters hould be typerwritten on a 60-space margin and double spaced. Although letters may be printed anonymously when circumstances warrant, all letters must be signed and include your name, address, phone or social security number for verificationpurposes. to be nearly a hundred people busily taking up the public view stop at the bottom of the landing. So far, the busy commercial activity was overwhelming what we had come for but that wasn't the end of the story. While on the top we were informed by a park service employee that the Angel's Landing Trail and the entire West Rim of Zion Canyon was going to be closed to the public for the next three days for Willig's climb. The closure was done at the direction of the park superintendent. Well, maybe the climb was difficult and maybe it was just a little spectacular, but it certainly doesn't rate as anything more than what probably was happening all around the country on many different pieces of rock. ABC simply saw the chance to capitalize on the name of someone who has made the news, and in so doing exploited one of our national parks and kept the public from enjoying it. The park service, the park superintendent and certainly ABC should take into consideration whose toes they are stepping on when they pull off such a caper. Published twice weekly by the Media Board of Weber State College during fall, winter and spring quarters. Entered as second class mail at the Ogden, Utah Post office. Mailing address: Weber State College, 3750 Harrison Blvd., Ogden, Utah, 84408. The opinions expressed on the editorial page do not necessarily represent those of the student body, the administration, the WSC Media Board or that of the Signpost Staff. Val Williams Editor Dale Hicks Advertising Manager John Redding Managing Editor Brad Hart News Editor Donna Schultz News Editor Lynn Arave Sports Editor John Eldard Staff Reporter Mike Reberg Staff Reporter Clyde Mueller Photography Editor Heiko Glander Photographer Jill Farquharson Secretary Eunice Schlenker Staff Assistant Phone: 399-5941 ext. 285. |