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Opinion

Ask not what UH can do for you

Melissa Correa
Opinion Columnist

Scarlet red runs through my veins. UH was my first and only choice for higher education. The thought of attending a great university in the fourth largest city in the nation made it all the more easy to choose UH in 2002. The fact that UH tuition was cheaper than that of the University of Texas and Texas A&M made it all the more appealing. 

With the $14.3 billion cut from financial aid approved by the House in 2005 by a mere two votes via its Deficit Reduction Act, it's becoming harder for many students to consider college at all. 

The one thing I believe that sets UH apart from other Texas universities is the fact that the majority of UH students work at least one part-time job along with taking rigorous course loads -- thus making for a strong work ethic.

However, after Monday's Board of Regents meeting, I feel that all of our hard work might be in vain.

This week, the Board voted to increase tuition by 9.9 percent, making a full course load of 12 hours, currently $2,663, add up to $2,926, a difference of the better half of $300. 

What's the big deal, you ask?

Since 2003 our tuition has increased by 42 percent -- that's a whole lot of dough.

UH head honchos say they are forced to raise our tuition in order to cover increasing utility costs all around and compete with the UT and A&M. Apparently, the universities are offering more money to professors while increasing tuition. They say we need to make up for lost dollars we would've received from federal subsidies. 

I do believe our professors deserve the proposed 2 percent increase in pay, but unfortunately, it's at our expense. 

It's hard for me to understand why we need to compete with UT or A&M anyway. We pride ourselves on being Cougars -- on being different, diverse and a university of everyone, whether we are full-time students, professional students or students with children. 

In 1926, high school students met with E.E. Oberholtzer. They voiced their concerns about wanting to go to college locally and for an affordable price. Together, on March 7, 1927, they created Houston Junior College -- an alternative to Rice University. Since then, so many great people have contributed to our thriving campus -- all because they believed our university would be different from the competition. I am so thankful we've had contributors who believe in our education.

The sad thing is, in my final year of college education, I finally realize that this campus is a business. We are the guinea pigs who get stuck with paying the bills. I know that it takes money to run our classrooms. I understand Cougar dollars built our beautiful Campus Recreation and Wellness Center. Every time I go on the roller coaster ride that is Cullen Boulevard, I admire the gorgeous Science and Engineering Research and Classroom Complex. There are still improvements to be made to our campus. It just stinks that those improvements can only be made if we empty our pockets.

But when is expensive too expensive? 

I am researching a story about the DREAM Act -- legislation that would allow undocumented students to attend a state university and pay in-state tuition. Undocumented students aren't afforded the opportunity to put their hands on any financial aid -- they have to pay for their entire college career with little or no help. That's a toughy. 

If our tuition costs keep climbing, I am worried that no matter how many bills we pass, students who want to attend college, documented or otherwise, won't be able to attend anyway. 

I don't understand how we are going to argue that we need to push for more students to attend college, but not do anything about how they are going to pay for it. As it is, the federal aid reduction tacks on an extra $5,800 to an average student's college debt.

I am thrilled to graduate in four years, but with a job that pays an average of $26,000, I don't know how I am going to pay my debt for education -- and I am getting out before the numbers change.

So here's the deal. This fall, get ready to pay more. If you graduate with more than 160 hours, get ready to pay out-of-state tuition. If you have to drop some classes in order to work to pay tuition be advised: don't drop the class more than twice or you will pay out-of-state tuition. 

Take my advice: don't buy textbooks -- they end up testing you over the material in lectures anyway. And go ahead and sell your organs and the rights to your first-born. If you do all of that, maybe you might have enough money to buy an outrageous meal plan or parking permit for the brand new garage.

In all seriousness, the students who spoke to start the University are no better than us. They voiced their concerns, and all those who aren't graduating in May should do the same. Who knows what might happen if the Board of Regents listens to students. 

And if you are graduating in May, don't forget your university. Don't forget those who taught you all you needed to know to launch a great career. One of our goals should be to give back to UH. I know I would love to have a school or college named after me; I could settle with a parking lot or a tree. The thing is, we have the power to change policy. Just like our university motto says, we are: Learning. Leading. 

Correa, an opinion columnist for The Daily Cougar, 
can be reached at mel_correa@yahoo.com.