SU Students React to Another Tuition Increase

By Lindsey Fine

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse University announced plans to increase tuition and overall cost of attendance for the 2021-2022 school year on Friday.

“I think tuition increasing isn’t the right move. I think that’s a little insane on the university’s part because we are already paying so much money,” SU junior Jen Levin said.

Tuition for full-time undergraduate students increased by 3%, or about $1,600. These increases came as other universities in New York State decreased or froze their tuition because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“They’re trying to make it as normal as possible next semester with having in-person classes, but I still don’t think it’s going to be the same. We’re not going to be getting the same adequate or sufficient education that we would be pre-COVID,” SU freshman Jessica Schneider said.

Since SU is raising housing costs by 3.5% and meal plans by 3%, the increase in the cost of attendance will affect younger undergraduate students who still live in on-campus housing the most.

“Our housing is not the greatest and by them raising housing costs I think they shouldn’t make it a requirement for students to live on campus freshman and sophomore year,” Levin said.

Next year, housing and meal plans combined will cost $16,850 and the total cost of attendance will increase to around $76,000.

“The renovations to the Schine Student Center was a huge moral boost for the students and I think that was needed this year, but I’m not sure if that warrants a 3% price hike,” SU sophomore Garrett Zito said.

Along with the raise in tuition, the amount of student aid included in SU’s budget increased for the upcoming academic year to $307 million.

“That financial commitment, which represents a 7% increase over the previous fiscal year, will ensure the doors of opportunity are kept wide open for students of promise and talent from across the socioeconomic spectrum,” SU said in a published statement.