How best can the IR and Budget office help to inform not only the Administration about trends in tuition rises, but also students about why their tuition goes up? Students are beginning to ask. At RISD, our Student Alliance has asked the Finance office to come and speak, and the Budget Director has responded by creating an in-depth Powerpoint for them entitled "Show me the Money." With pie charts showing exactly where tuition goes to pay for such things as facilities, debt service, academic programs and student services, students will be better informed. It is a good tactic for the administrators to be able to be as transparent as possible with the students, who are in effect the consumers. Having had a preview of this powerpoint this week, I was particularly impressed by the "What if" scenarios our Budget Director presents: What if we do not raise tuition? If we kept everything the same, would we be able to provide the same quality education and pay our bills as an institution? As a parent of a freshman at college, and back in school myself, I do feel the hit when colleges increase their tuition. But seen in the light of transparency, it is much easier to understand. Hopefully, the students will feel the same way. How sustainable are annual tuition increases? Time will tell.
