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Tuition increase straining undergraduates

I’m sure that I am not the first nor the last to flood your desk with letters complaining about the recent tuition increase, but nonetheless feel compelled to speak out about something so heavy on the minds of so many.

We all know the semantics of the raise, so I’ll avoid the figures and go straight to the heart of the issue: WE CAN’T PAY MUCH MORE! Mills spouts all sorts of self-praise in its efforts to recruit women of all backgrounds and to make education more affordable, but these increases without financial aid increases prove counterproductive to this cause. I won’t tout my own financial burden; to the contrary, I have no room to complain.

But this does not keep me from worrying about my fellow students and friends in less fortunate positions, who should be more concerned about graduating, not surviving. I already lost my battle with the FAFSA this year and ultimately didn’t file it, and can only humbly imagine what stress this ridiculously and inherently flawed system has caused those more dependent on it.

Furthermore, and frankly, I do not want to pay for the new graduate school of business. I am not a business major, nor am I a Mills grad student or plan to be. As I understand it, this project was undertaken after an alumna donated a large amount of money for this specific purpose-I am more than willing to admit if I am wrong and in no way exhort anyone to accept this as fact.

However, if this is the case, then increase the business school tuition and/or ask this alumna or others for more money, and if this still doesn’t cover the cost, then perhaps the school should not be spending money it doesn’t have. I wish I could say the same about the students, but unfortunately, we don’t have that luxury. As selfish as this statement seems, it stems only from the fact that there are more immediate problems to be seen to: better meal programs (a points system, preferably), more financial aid, an on-campus emergency health center, and much more. If these increases are necessary, then perhaps we should institute a referendum process, because we should have a voice in how our money is spent. Sure, a new building could bring in more students and more money, but please, not at the expense of the undergraduates.