University at Buffalo officials will be holding a rally on Friday to address state policies that have led to unpredictable tuition raises and other issues.
The rally, scheduled for 11 a.m. at the corner of Goodell and Ellicott streets, will support a rational tuition policy that will raise costs incrementally each semester, preventing sudden increases such as the $620 hike that occurred during winter break.
The change would come at no cost to New York State and would provide UB with the means to move forward with its growth plan, according to Ryan McPherson, associate vice president for government and community relations.
"We recognize the environment we're in, so we're not asking the state to kick in [a] dollar," McPherson said.
Current tuition policies have concurrently degraded the quality of education at UB and raised the cost to students, according to McPherson.
"[Students] are paying more now and getting less because the state has taken away the same amount that has been raised by the tuition increase in direct state aid," McPherson said.
The plan would also allocate more money to financial aid for students in need, according to McPherson.
"Up to 20 percent would be invested straight into need-based financial aid," McPherson said. "We would also make sure that any tuition increase would also be hooked to the Tuition Assistance Program."
The majority of UB's peers across the U.S. in the Association of American Universities currently use a tuition plan similar to that proposed, according to McPherson. However, current New York State policy does not allow public universities to have such a plan.
University officials also plan to make a major announcement at the rally, according to McPherson. No further details were given.
McPherson was confident that students see the need to eliminate unpredictable tuition spikes and hopes to have student support at the rally.
"We need students to stand by and really advocate for a rational tuition policy," McPherson said.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
