It would be an understatement to say that last week’s Board of Trustees meetings were eventful.
Of course, as many of you have heard by now, UF President Bernie Machen will retire at the end of 2013. While this may come as a surprise to some, his retirement from UF was expected due to the approaching expiration of his contract.
It was also decided that UF would no longer be participating in the National Merit Scholarship program due to the lack of control UF has over who qualifies for the scholarship.
However, of greater controversy was Machen’s announcement that the annual 15 percent tuition increase will be slashed to 9 percent this year.
Given Machen’s recent push to allow tuition increases greater than 15 percent at UF last semester, this sudden reversal was quite unexpected.
While this change might appease many student groups concerned about tuition hikes, it raises even more questions about the financial future of UF.
A lowering of the expected tuition increase from 15 percent to 9 percent creates a budget shortfall of about $5 million.
UF administrators assured the trustees that these additional funds would come from “outside sources.”
However, what exactly are these “outside sources?”
Do they plan to cut into the budget reserves? Do they plan to raise $5 million from private sources?
First, we believe it is important for the students to know why there was a sudden switch in policy goals in regards to tuition increases. While the change might be pleasing, it does not solve our budget woes.
Next, we want the administration to be clear about where they plan to make up the $5 million shortfall rather than using vague terms like “outside sources.”
If tuition revenue does not meet the costs of the university, this leaves university services, faculty, staff and various other programs on the chopping block, especially if the $5 million cannot be found.
The Student Body does not need to be appeased by promises of lower tuition increases.
The Student Body deserves to know that its administration has a plan to not only keep the university going, but growing.
We have consistently argued over the past few months that when it comes to university funding and tuition increases, the real fight is in Tallahassee.
At the same time, we should expect a transparent administration.
We understand that everyone is in a budget crunch right now, but we hope that UF doesn’t bite off more than it can chew with failed promises.
