2008 Woodie Awards
Promise in question, could be broken
Fixed tuition rate could be discussed at Thursday meeting
By: Meredith Mayberry
Issue date: 12/3/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
CMU can only make so many promises.
This year may be the last year the CMU Promise will be given to incoming freshmen, said Steve Smith, director of media relations.
"We're concerned about the Promise's sustainability," Smith said. "Because of Michigan's economy, it is undetermined if we can keep such a guarantee."
The Promise started in 2005 and gives freshmen a fixed tuition rate for up to five years.
Smith said the Promise may or may not be brought up at Thursday's Board of Trustees meeting.
"It's not a legitimate item, but it continues to be under review," he said.
Barrie Wilkes, interim vice president of finance and administrative services, said there are many options for dealing with the Promise.
"We can look at modifying it in some way or we could eliminate the Promise for future students," Wilkes said. "We could just set an annual tuition rate."
Wilkes said the biggest problem with the CMU Promise is Michigan's unpredictable economy.
"We need to have a better handle on state funding," he said.
CMU's state appropriations have decreased every year and the Promise is proving too risky, said Jeff Caponigro, chair of the Board of Trustees.
"There's always some risk involved when you make assurances like this," he said. "With today's economy, it's more risky than it has ever been."
Caponigro said the CMU Promise makes it difficult to know what tuition rate to set for incoming freshmen.
"If our costs go up and our appropriations go down then we have to make sure we're setting the right rate because five years is a long time," he said.
Students currently covered by the Promise will not be affected if it is abolished, Wilkes said.
"It is a commitment we made and we're going to stick with that," he said.
Caponigro also said the CMU Promise echoed Wilkes statement.
"When we're looking at the Promise and deciding whether or not to continue it, we're only looking at incoming freshmen. If you're already covered by the Promise, you will continue to be," he said.
news@cmich.edu
This year may be the last year the CMU Promise will be given to incoming freshmen, said Steve Smith, director of media relations.
"We're concerned about the Promise's sustainability," Smith said. "Because of Michigan's economy, it is undetermined if we can keep such a guarantee."
The Promise started in 2005 and gives freshmen a fixed tuition rate for up to five years.
Smith said the Promise may or may not be brought up at Thursday's Board of Trustees meeting.
"It's not a legitimate item, but it continues to be under review," he said.
Barrie Wilkes, interim vice president of finance and administrative services, said there are many options for dealing with the Promise.
"We can look at modifying it in some way or we could eliminate the Promise for future students," Wilkes said. "We could just set an annual tuition rate."
Wilkes said the biggest problem with the CMU Promise is Michigan's unpredictable economy.
"We need to have a better handle on state funding," he said.
CMU's state appropriations have decreased every year and the Promise is proving too risky, said Jeff Caponigro, chair of the Board of Trustees.
"There's always some risk involved when you make assurances like this," he said. "With today's economy, it's more risky than it has ever been."
Caponigro said the CMU Promise makes it difficult to know what tuition rate to set for incoming freshmen.
"If our costs go up and our appropriations go down then we have to make sure we're setting the right rate because five years is a long time," he said.
Students currently covered by the Promise will not be affected if it is abolished, Wilkes said.
"It is a commitment we made and we're going to stick with that," he said.
Caponigro also said the CMU Promise echoed Wilkes statement.
"When we're looking at the Promise and deciding whether or not to continue it, we're only looking at incoming freshmen. If you're already covered by the Promise, you will continue to be," he said.
news@cmich.edu
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Dan
posted 12/04/07 @ 8:59 PM EST
The title of this article is somewhat irresponsible . . . there has never been any mention of breaking the CMU Promise, all students to whom the promise was made will find that their tuition rates will not change. (Continued…)
Dan
posted 12/04/07 @ 9:29 PM EST
The title of this article is somewhat irresponsible, at no point has there been any mention of breaking the CMU Promise. All students to whom the promise was made will find that their tuition rates will not change. (Continued…)
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