Orange Crush
While its vastly-overpaid administrators continue to enjoy the exorbitant pay raises they’ve awarded themselves in recent years, Clemson (S.C.) University jacked its tuition on South Carolina parents once again yesterday.
Now at $11,576, Clemson’s tuition is 23% higher than it was just three years ago, and more than twice what it was in 2001, when President Jim Barker arrived on campus with the goal … err, obsession … of making the school a “Top 20″ public university, at least according to U.S. News & World Report.
From a surprisingly-lucid and even-handed assessment of the tuition hike from La Socialista (a.k.a. The State newspaper):
… even with a state scholarship, S.C. students pay more than students in neighboring states, according to data from the Southern Regional Education Board, which tracks tuition trends among 16 Southern states.
For example, a student who gets a $5,000 LIFE scholarship still must pay $6,576 in tuition to attend Clemson next year. That’s more than the $5,624 to attend the University of North Carolina, the $4,340 to attend the University of Florida or the $6,250 to attend the University of Tennessee.
“We are not making it easier on ourselves to make sure students earn degrees in South Carolina” when tuition keeps spiking, said SREB’s Alan Richard. He pointed out that South Carolina has — by far — the highest tuition in the South.
Oh, and guess what … South Carolina also spends a vastly disproportionate percentage of its state budget on higher education.
In fact, according to the latest data available from the National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO), South Carolina currently spends 17.8% of its budget on a bloated, wasteful, duplicative and inefficient system of higher education.
The average state spends only 10.1% of its budget on higher ed, by comparison.
Hmmmm … could it be that in addition to being “fatally attracted” to positive publicity that South Carolina’s public colleges and universities are also wasting money on non-core functions in a botched effort to take over the state’s economic development efforts?
Just speculating …
Oh, and did we mention that both of our football teams suck?
Because if not, there’s also that …
Comments
By Dj on June 19th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Lets not forget the really really really really lame parking situation at USC… personally my biggest pet peeve. I do like the letters though.
Dear Students,
In the wake of historic budget cuts, the University of South Carolina has passed a 2009-10 budget that calls for the lowest tuition increase in eight years. Most importantly, it will allow us to protect and preserve the very best of Carolina and fulfills our promise that undergraduate education will not be compromised.
For the Columbia campus, undergraduate tuition and required fees for in-state students will increase 3.6 percent, or $159 per semester, to $4,578 per semester. This amount is considerably lower than planned increases at many other universities across the state and the country. Non-resident tuition and required fees also will change by 3.6 percent, for a total of $11,866 per semester.
As you might be aware, the University’s state appropriations for the current fiscal year were reduced by a total of $55 million. These cuts forced us to make some difficult decisions. However, I steadfastly maintained that funding for the undergraduate student experience at Carolina, in and beyond the classroom, was non-negotiable. Moreover, I said many times that I would not impose steep tuition increases to offset the state funding cuts. I am keenly aware of the burden that an increase would pose for students and families, and this is no time to diminish access to our University.
The decision to increase tuition by 3.6 percent was not made without much soul-searching and poring over our budget. This increase is in line with the Higher Education Price Index (HEPI), which measures the rise in operational costs for colleges and universities, and we were committed to not exceeding that.When the fall semester begins in August, students will find a University whose spirit is strong and where faculty and staff stand ready to help them achieve their goals and dreams of earning a degree from Carolina.
I have said many times that I am committed to ensuring that students have one of the best experiences of a lifetime and gain the experience needed for a lifetime of success. It is what makes our University special and keeps generations of alumni proud of their alma mater and its continued excellence.
I wish you a very enjoyable summer and look forward to seeing you in the fall.
For Carolina,
HP
By Mike on June 19th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
La Socialista “even-handed?” Really? I’m on the road this week and haven’t had a chance to read the articles, so let me ask- did they whitewash over (or more likely, omit altogether) references to the recent executive compensation debacle at Turf U., especially in light of their relevance to the budget issue and general fiscal responsibility?
By Eric on June 19th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
The cost of an education in SC…from first grade through college, is disgraceful.
By needamuckraker on June 19th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Do something like this for SC:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-college-clout-storygallery,0,3636100.storygallery
By CNSYD on June 21st, 2009 at 9:15 pm
There are liars, damn liars and then there are statistics. So while on a percentage basis SC may spend more than its neighbors on higher education, what is really important is the dollars spent. It my understanding that while SC spends in the millions, NC and Georgia spend in the billions (that is with a B). I agree we have too many colleges and too many duplicate programs. SC has “rescued” several former private schools over the years, e.g. Lander, when programs at existing schools could have handled the students.
By CNSYD on June 21st, 2009 at 9:16 pm
In regard to the rates at Clemson, my Dad always told me it costs more to go first class.
By John M on June 22nd, 2009 at 1:25 am
Every in-state college’s tuition is getting out of hand. Lander is around the $9000 mark even. Florida State and Georgia Tech students only pay $4000-$5000 in tuition annually.