HAYLEY LERCH
News Assistant
Fall 2006 means new classes, new faces, a new school year, as well as a tuition hike, according to an e-mail sent March 21 by Seaver Dean David Baird.
The e-mail was sent to all Seaver students and said tuition rates will increase six percent, or $920, beginning this fall. Room and board charges will increase by $190 per semester.
“Our principle expenses have to do with faculty increases and program support,” Baird said. “That’s primarily where the money will go along with additional financial aid.”
In past years, students already attending Pepperdine at the time of the increases were not eligible for increased financial aid, but Baird said that this will change this year.
This increase is not guaranteed for all students and will not impact those who receive merit-based aid.
Baird said the increase is appropriate, compared to other schools.
“Over the last 10 years, the average increase for Pepperdine University has been 4.3 percent,” Baird said. “This is in comparison to Loyola Marymount University with a 5.6 percent average increase, Santa Clara with 6.2 percent, Stanford with 4.4 percent, and Vanderbilt with 4.8 percent.”
According to the College Board, the average tuition at private four-year colleges for 2005-2006 is $21,235. Only about 2 percent of all students attend colleges like Pepperdine, where tuition and fees total $33,000 or higher per year.
Baird said in his e-mail that inflation was a cause of the increase.
“I don’t believe inflation is up six percent in the nation,” junior Kevin Mills said.
Since February 2005, the Consumer Price Index has increased 3.6 percent, and inflation has slowed recently.
Students said that last year’s increase can’t justify fall changes.
“The way they stated the fact that this is less than the increase last year doesn’t make it a good justification,” junior Robin VanSteenberge said.
Baird said tuition is a primary source of revenue at Pepperdine, while older institutions can use endowments.
“We have about a half billion dollars in endowments and we need about one billion to generate money for scholarships and to remain competitive,” Baird said.
Baird’s e-mail said the increase would be used for students, but it will also be used for faculty raises.
Baird said that the budget money cannot yet be allocated due to the nature of the budget process, which is not specific.
Freshman Anna McDermott said she struggles with tuition.
“I come from a middle-class family, and I’m already having difficulty, so I’m working two jobs,” McDermott said. “We’re already one of the most expensive schools around.”
03-23-2006
