Higher Education Costs |
TRENT CONTENTS Association President's Message Are You Being Served? Discounts and benefits for alumni Course profile - Women in the Greek and Roman World Alumni Staff Profile - Doug Brown '71 Which Way Is Up? - Investment strategies in difficult times |
By Francy Poapst '81 "Caught between a rock and a hard place" sums up the feeling of most parents as they prepare to send their child(ren) to university. And, of course, in this economic climate, starting early is the key. Do you remember that episode of Murphy Brown where Murphy virtually steamrolls everyone to see that her 3 year old son gets into the proper preschool? Because, as you know, the right preschool leads to the right elementary school, which leads to the best high school, until ultimately, the most coveted ivy league position is gained. Of course, in TV land, money does not appear to be an issue. In real life, it is the largest headache for Ontario parents today. There are programs to help but, in the face of declining enrollment, escalating tuition fees and government cutbacks to student financial aid, there are struggles aplenty. Decline in enrollment at Trent this September is linked to the growing cost of higher education. The sad fact is that parents (and students) are simply unable to manage the high cost. There are government loans to be had but many are not willing to take on such an astronomical debt burden. A 1995 study issued by the Council of Ontario Universities provides startling statistics.* In 1950's Ontario, yearly Arts-based, university tuition was, on average, approximately $1420. In 1996, it rose to almost $3500. The rise in cost is not the entire issue. The COU explains that "since 1977-78, operating grants from the Ontario Government for each university student have declined in value by 25%." Indeed, "on a per capita basis, university operating grants in the Province of Ontario are the lowest in Canada." When staff and faculty are let go in an effort to cut costs, the calibre of the education declines. When the student suffers in this type of environment, the forward thinking of a society becomes moot. No one wins. In comparison to other provinces, the cost of Ontario's tuition has not risen that much. This is cold comfort however, since university operating budgets have been steadily declining. Though the Tory Government's Common Sense Revolution is three years old, its ramĩcations are still widespread. It essentially provides even less to help universities to operate, as well as little reprieve for debt-ridden graduates. The gap between the rock and the hard place is narrower each year. What does this mean for the average Ontarian? Just ask a man with a modest income, a thirteen year old daughter and a 10 year old son to think about it. He understands that the quality of education in Ontario exists for his children. No worries there. He also knows, that, when it comes to his particular post secondary education needs, if he does not focus strictly on the monetary aspect of the situation, his children will lose. Ultimately, the 'Generation Nexts' of Canada will also be deprived. This is truly the highest cost of higher education. * Many thanks to everyone at the Council of Ontario Universities | |
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