A Resolution Concerning Tuition On Campus

Resolution #: 1

Author: Liam Davis Temple

Sponsors: Yasmin Hirsi, Antonio Cano

WHEREAS, the role of Hamline’s Undergraduate Student Congress (HUSC) is to be the student voice and advocate on

behalf of the student body to the Hamline administration & Board of Trustees; and,

WHEREAS, college affordability is a major issue facing students at Hamline; and,

WHEREAS, the cost of tuition at Hamline for the 2019-2020 school year is $41,734 or $1,304 per credit (source: hamline.edu), which is a 44.6% increase from ten years ago in 2009 when the cost of tuition was $28,862 or $902 per credit (source: hamline.edu); and,

WHEREAS, tuition has been raised 2.9%, 2.75%, 3.6% the last three years putting a tremendous additional financial

burden on current students; and,

WHEREAS, not only has the cost of tuition has gone up, but the value of that tuition has gone down in recent years with the cost J-term no longer included in the price of tuition and now students must pay extra to take a J-term course, and when a credit cap was placed on students where now you have to pay extra costs to take more than 18 credits.

WHEREAS, retention of students has been cited as a major problem by the administration in recent years, yet when students keep leaving due to the fact they can’t afford Hamline, the cost keeps going up; and,

WHEREAS, our price compared to other MIAC schools is often cited as a reason to raise tuition, as those schools, and others across the country, are also raising their tuition. However, that type of reasoning is a direct contradiction of the Hamline motto “We Take The Lead;” and,

WHEREAS, to follow the Wesleyan saying of “Do All the Good,” a harmful increase of costs to students should be the last measure taken in order to save money and increase revenues for the University; and,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Hamline Undergraduate Student Congress, on behalf of the Undergraduate Student Body, calls on the Board of Trustees, the Hamline University Strategic Planning Committee, the Subcommittee on tuition, President Dr. Faynese Miller, Provost Dr. John Matachek, Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Patti Klein, and all those who vote on or have some say in the tuition at Hamline University, to NOT raise tuition for the 2020-2021 school year.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that any potential decision to raise tuition or other costs at Hamline should be presented publicly to students so that students are able to give feedback and input, and so that decision makers can make informed decisions that fully take into account the lives and experiences of those of whom their decision will actually affect. I hereunto set my hand it witness and certification of the adoption of this resolution by the HUSC General Assembly:

Dieu Do Cameron Anderson

HUSC Vice President HUSC Secretary

Vote: 39 Yes; 2 Abstain; 0 No