1,000 signatures reached
To: University of Michigan Board of Regents
U of M: Nullify the Tuition Increase for the 2020-2021 Academic School Year
We are demanding that the university nullify the 1.9% increase in tuition for UM Ann Arbor and Dearborn, and the 3.9% increase in tuition for UM Flint. We also ask the university to consider the following, especially for the 2020-2021 Academic School Year:
Lower Tuition for the Alternative Academic Year
Equalize Out-of-State and In-State Tuition OR Significantly Lower Out-of-State Tuition
Offer More Substantial Financial Aid Improvements and Plans for ALL Students
More Funds for Out-of-State Need Based Individuals
Recognition and Consideration for Students Who Are Financing Their Educations Independently
Why is this important?
At the June 29th University of Michigan Board of Regents Meeting, a budget that includes a 1.9% tuition increase was approved. We believe this increase is unjustified due to the economic hardships caused by the pandemic, coupled with the amount of university courses being held online. Based on 2019-2020 budgets listed on University of Michigan’s Admissions and Costs webpage, the tuition increase would be equivalent to around:
$15,853.60 for in-state lower classmen (an increase of $295.60)
$17,854.92 for in-state upperclassmen (an increase of $332.92)
$52,172.80 for out-of-state lower classmen (an increase of $972.80)
$55,835.09 for out-of-state upperclassmen (an increase of $1041.09).
These financial shifts are expected to affect most university graduate programs as well. While seemingly small on their own, these additional amounts in tuition are increases in the total budgets to attend the university. In addition to tuition, students will also see an increase in University Health Service fees, housing fees (for those living on campus), and an additional “$50-per-term COVID-19 fee”. With these additional costs, in-state lower and upperclassmen can expect to pay a total of about $31,351 and $33,352 respectively, and out-of-state lower and upperclassmen can expect to pay a total of about $67,670 and $71,333. President Schlissel says the university is “committed to [doing] our very best to make sure that the COVID-19 pandemic does not result in a lost generation of students who were unable to continue or complete their Michigan educations because of the circumstances we all find ourselves in”. An increase in tuition and fees is a direct contradiction to this statement.